Last week, many student-athletes across the country
marked their official commitment to their chosen universities to continue their academic and athletic careers. One of our student athletes was recently recognized by her chosen university in a ceremonial signing with her family.
Tatyanna Bailey, a rising senior at Hendrickson High school, spent her high school years pursuing her love for basketball. Excelling as a varsity athlete, Tatyanna’s dedication to the sport extended beyond the regular season, as she played club basketball throughout the year. She looked forward to continuing her passion with her verbal commitment to play basketball at the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas.
What no one expected for this rising star was a medical diagnosis that would change her life. Tatyanna was diagnosed with a brain tumor on the right side of her brain. Despite surgery, radiation treatments, and physical therapy, she never gave up on returning to the court.
“No tumor was going to stop me or hold me back from the sport I love,” she said in an interview with the Austin American-Statesman.
Tatyanna returned to the court just 6-weeks after the surgery to remove the softball-sized tumor in her brain.
Her presence on the basketball court and her fight with brain cancer earned her the Austin American-Statesman’s Courage Award and the SHEAPRO Gala Courage Award.
Tatyanna tragically lost her battle with brain cancer in August of 2023. Despite this immense heartbreak, Tatyana’s commitment to her dreams did not go unnoticed.
Recognizing her verbal commitment to the school, the University of Texas Permian Basin helped honor her legacy last week with an honorary scholarship to play basketball, ensuring her legacy continues to soar with the Falcons.
Tayanna will not be forgotten in Pflugerville either. PfISD athletics programs across the district have been honoring Tatyanna with messages of support. PfISD extends our deepest condolences to Tayanna’s family and friends.
The image included in this article is by the University of Texas Permian Basin women's basketball team.
