When Cory Brandon arrived at Husson University in 2015, he was a transfer quarterback searching for the right fit. By the time he left, he was the most prolific passer in program history, a four-time Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) champion, and a team leader whose impact stretched far beyond the stat sheet. Now, Brandon is being honored as part of the Husson University Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 — recognition he calls the greatest accomplishment of his career.

“It’s truly an honor,” Brandon said. “It was a big deal for me and my family. We’re very proud, and to me it’s a huge tribute to all the guys I got to play with and all the coaches I ever had. Football is the ultimate team game, and being recognized for the hard work I put in — and the hard work everyone put into me — is really special.”

A native of Pembroke, Massachusetts, Brandon transferred to Husson after spending his freshman year at a Division II program in Iowa. Once he arrived in Bangor, he immediately found a home under longtime head coach Gabby Price and offensive coordinator Nat Clark.

From 2015–18, Brandon redefined what it meant to be a quarterback in green and gold. He set school records for career passing yards (7,213), touchdowns (75), passing efficiency (154.9), average yards per attempt (8.4), and total offense per play. His accuracy and poise made him a constant threat, completing 62 percent of his passes while averaging nearly 172 yards per game.

But for Brandon, personal stats always came second. “The main goal for me was that we would win every week,” he said. “I didn’t care about my personal self. It was just a bonus if I had a big day, but I really just cared about the wins and losses.”

Those wins piled up. Brandon helped Husson capture four straight ECFC titles and make four consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III Football Championship. The highlight came in 2017, when the Eagles won a program-best 10 games and stunned No. 19/No. 20 Springfield College on the road in the first round of the playoffs.

Brandon attributes his consistency to Husson’s demanding practice culture. Every rep, every drill, every snap was treated like game day.

“The way we practiced helped me a lot,” he said. “We practiced like it was a game. Every rep, every play was important. I think that helped me be personally successful, but more importantly it made us a really good team for so long.”

That team-first mentality also made Brandon a natural leader. By his sophomore season, he had already set single-season records in passing yards and touchdowns, a sign that his career might be destined for greatness. But for him, success always came back to the bonds he built with teammates.

Brandon’s story doesn’t end with football. After earning his degree in criminal justice in 2019, he followed a path into law enforcement — one inspired by a Husson professor who encouraged him to consider the field. Today, he serves as a detective with the Conway Police Department in New Hampshire, where he works with colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds.

“The lessons I learned at Husson — working in a team setting, dealing with wins and losses, learning to adapt — all of that translates to what I do now,” Brandon said. “I work with people from all different types of backgrounds, and now as a field training officer, I get to help new hires. I also coach football at the high school level, which allows me to use the skills Husson gave me to teach younger athletes.”

As Brandon reflects on his induction, he’s quick to share the credit. He points to his parents, who supported him from his youth football days, and to coaches like Price and Clark who made him feel at home after his transfer.

Above all, Brandon views his Hall of Fame induction not just as a personal achievement, but as a symbol of Husson football’s growth and the foundation laid for future generations.

“To know that I paved the way for future players, that’s incredibly humbling,” he said. “That university gave me everything — it let me keep playing football, let me meet some of the best people I’ve ever met, and be part of championship teams. For the university to look at me in that light is just truly a gift and an honor.”

From record-setting performances on the field to his service and leadership off it, Cory Brandon embodies the values of Husson Athletics. His journey is one of perseverance, teamwork, and humility — the qualities that made him a champion, a leader, and now, a Hall of Famer.