Dr. Brandit Payne, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attended William Penn High School, widely recognized as the city’s premier speed-focused school, from 1992 to 1996. Excelling both academically and athletically, she earned All-American honors in track and field and was recognized as a White Williams Scholar throughout all four years of high school.

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Following high school, Dr. Payne attended Barton County Community College, where she continued to distinguish herself. She was a 13-time All-American and NJCC National Champion, graduating in the spring of 1998 with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science.

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In 1998, she signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her track and field career at The University of Alabama. She quickly made an impact on the team, competing in the 1999 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships and earning All-American honors in the 60-meter hurdles. Though surgery sidelined her during the 2000 indoor season, she returned to place fourth in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and record the fifth-fastest time at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, adding another All-American distinction to her accomplishments. During her time at Alabama, Dr. Payne ranked second on the university’s all-time top ten list in the 100 meters and broke an eight-year-old hurdles record. In addition, she joined the Theta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the fall of 2000.

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Dr. Payne achieved international recognition, ranking fifth in the world in the 55-meter dash in 2001 and qualifying for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. She was also selected to compete in the 2001 World Championship Games; however, injuries ultimately led her to retire from competition. Her love of sport and dedication to excellence guided her into coaching. She began as a volunteer coach at the University of Florida, later serving as an assistant coach at West Point Military Academy, associate head coach at Cal State Fullerton, and assistant coach at the Academy of Art University.

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Committed to lifelong learning, Dr. Payne earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from The University of Alabama in 2000 and a Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University, Irvine in 2011. She currently resides in Texas with her husband, Michael Payne Jr., and their two children, Brandon and Brandis Campbell.