Baird to sing anthem at Nationals game

Jordan Baird talks with C2M about his recent invitation to sing the national anthem at a Nationals game. (Jake McLernon)

After his well-received rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at last week’s Homecoming game, Mason men’s basketball player Jordan Baird said he has been asked to sing the anthem at a Washington Nationals baseball game this spring.

“Through a connection, the director of some of the media operations for the Nationals called me and they want me to sing the national anthem there,” said Baird.

Baird said he’s not sure what specific game he will be performing at but he’s looking forward to the opportunity to sing in front of a crowd of 20,000 to 30,000 people at Nationals Park in D.C.

Baird is a junior music major at Mason with a concentration in vocal performance. He walked-on to the basketball program in the fall.

After receiving offers to play basketball at smaller schools elsewhere, Baird said his family, faith, and desire to pursue music were determining factors in why he chose to attend Mason.

“I made the decision to pursue music and stay local,” said Baird. “I live in Gainesville, my church is in Manassas, so it just seemed to fit well that I come to Mason.”

A past American Idol and X Factor auditioner, Baird made it into the top 40 of the 2009 “Idol” season. After basketball is over, Baird said he’s interested in pursuing other vocal talent competitions.

 “The one I’m really looking into is The Voice,” said Baird, referencing the NBC talent show judged by Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, and Christina Aguilera.

Thursday night, Feb. 10, Baird performed alongside student-rapper “V” at a pre-Valentine’s Day talent show in Dewberry Hall.

Baird and student hip-hop artist "V" perform at a recent talent show hosted by Akoma Circle. (Jake McLernon)

The event was hosted by Akoma Circle, a peer empowerment group that pairs freshman and transfer students with upperclassmen.

The two came together for the performance through Bryce Lewis, Baird's teammate and a friend of V's.

"One of my freinds, Bryce, on the basketball team, I hit him up after I found out about the Homecoming game," said V, artist behind the Mason Dining anthem "I'm Eatin'."

Both Baird and V said they would be open to collaborating in the future.

"I never thought I would do stuff with a rapper, but hey, it's kind of cool," said Baird.