Keep Brandon’s
Legacy Alive
Join us in honoring Brandon’s legacy by supporting scholarships and educational opportunities for students. Your contribution helps inspire the next generation to achieve their dreams and carry forward his spirit of excellence and generosity.
About Brandon Lee Spight
Brandon Lee Spight was 17 years of age and a senior at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy. He was an accomplished student, athlete, artist, and community volunteer. As a member of the school varsity golf team, Brandon was known for his golf swing and his competitiveness. He was a standout academically and athletically, had a wide circle of friends, and had a magnetic personality. Brandon shared his talents by teaching the sport to younger kids through the Detroit Police Athletic League and tutoring children for his senior service at Christ the King Catholic School. Brandon was destined to become a golfer. As a baby and toddler, his dad, Virgil Spight often took him to the driving range as he practiced his golf swings. Brandon apparently watched attentively, because although right-handed he actually golfed left-handed, just like his dad, who is right-handed but a left-handed golfer.
Brandon's Story
Brandon’s life, though cut tragically short, reflects a commitment to character, integrity, and excellence, leaving a lasting legacy that lives on through the foundation.
Early Warning Signs
In January 2007, Brandon was having headaches and vomiting episodes. Our internist sent him to a neurologist. We then went to see a vascular neurosurgeon, who told us it was either a tumor, a cavernous angioma, or an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The cavernous angioma and the AVM are both blood vessel disorders; the AVM is the most serious. An AVM is a congenital abnormality that involves the entanglement of blood vessels.
The Diagnosis and Prognosis
The neurosurgeon initially did not believe it was an AVM, as Brandon was functioning relatively well. However, the location of the bleed—deep in the rear right side of his brain—presented significant risks. Even with surgery, which could not occur until the bleeding stopped, Brandon’s prognosis was extremely poor.
Brandon’s Courageous Decision
Brandon emphatically declined surgery. His family remained hopeful that it was only a cavernous angioma and that the blood would be naturally absorbed. Sadly, on January 30th, Brandon suffered another bleed, showing stroke-like symptoms, and his brain swelling led to a complete loss of brain function. He passed away on February 11, 2007.
A Legacy of Helping Others
Brandon had made the decision to donate his organs several years prior, expressing his agreement with his mom about organ donation. From a young age, he had always felt it was his duty to help others. His organ donation became his final act of generosity, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many.
A person is supposed to pursue his passion and do what makes him happy despite what people think; which is how I have lived my life up to this point and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Brandon Lee Spight
In Brandon’s Own Words
“When I made my decision to become proficient in the game of golf I didn’t realize it would require me to live as a chameleon. I am an African American who grew up experiencing two extremes my entire life", says Brandon. "I am not fickle, however I am the type of person who can adapt to situations that would cause discomfort to most," he says about his upbringing.
"Those closest to me seemed not to respect me because I did not play the traditional sports normally played by African Americans. Subsequently, as a way to be accepted and make friends in the neighborhood, I started playing basketball. I had to use the slang of the neighborhood kids when I was home in order to be accepted."
"I was blind to unjust treatment I received because I chose to learn golf instead of basketball or football," he says. "African Americans in my neighborhood and even some family members treated me differently because of the school I attended," he writes about growing up in his city.
The older I became, the more I realized that what I loved was golf. I gained respect by posting good scores and learned how to deal with racist attitudes about the game.
I may have gone through some struggles but they ended up making me a stronger and a well-rounded person,” says Brandon. “The only thing I can hope for is that maybe I changed a person’s view on stereotyping African Americans in sports.
Brandon Lee Spight