Cliff Brantley Jr.: Swinging for the Fences

When Cliff Brantley Jr. transferred to Adelphi three years ago, he had two long-term goals: get drafted by a Major League Baseball (MLB) team and become a lawyer. With one semester left, the ambitious Staten Island native has had the opportunity to fulfill both those dreams thanks to the success he’s found at Adelphi.

Like many transfer students, Brantley was nervous about the transition to a new school, but the feeling didn’t last long. After earning a starting spot as a center fielder on Adelphi’s Division II Panthers baseball team, he quickly felt right at home among his new teammates and peers. “Adelphi accepted me with open arms and my teammates were happy to show me around,” he said. “There’s more of a family feeling at Adelphi, so you’re not just a number here.”

The close-knit and welcoming environment that Brantley, a political science major, has experienced at Adelphi extends beyond the baseball diamond. The accessibility of the professors also helped to make his transfer experience a smooth one. “The professors understand that it’s an adjustment to transfer in the middle of your college career, and they’ve always been there to help me,” he said.

Since Adelphi accepts up to 90 credits from accredited senior colleges, the transition from Staten Island’s Wagner College was virtually seamless for Brantley—he was able to transfer many of the credits he had already earned toward his degree.

Beyond his success in the classroom, Brantley quickly made a name for himself on the field as well. With high hopes of getting drafted, he practiced day in and day out to hone his abilities. Brantley’s hard work finally paid off in June 2014, when MLB scouts took notice and he was picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays.

(Baseball is in his blood: His father, Cliff Brantley, pitched for MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies in 1991 and 1992.)

After living out his childhood dream for two years, Brantley’s professional baseball career was unfortunately cut short due to injuries. However, his drive to succeed has only grown since then. He is now pursuing his second goal of becoming a lawyer and eventually a lobbyist. Upon graduating after the Fall 2016 semester, he will take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and move on to law school.

Brantley credits Adelphi’s political science program with giving him the tools to think critically and to understand the complexities of arguments, both of which are skills he’ll need as a lawyer. He hopes to one day represent those who have been wrongfully convicted and to make a lasting impact on the criminal justice system.

“My classes at Adelphi have broadened my understanding of different cultures, and the professors have helped me to look at the world from a new perspective,” he said. Brantley has always been certain of his future career path. At Adelphi, he found the confidence he needs to pave his own way.