TOWSON, Md. - Josh Brown, a junior walk-on guard for the Tigers’ basketball team, is living a dream and having an absolute ball doing it.

His story, in fact, reads a little like the script from the movie “Rudy.”  Same kind of determination.

“I’ve had this dream ever since rec ball of playing at the Division I level,” Josh said. “That’s partially why I transferred to Towson.”

He came to Towson on his own. He didn’t know a soul in this campus community of over 23,000 people. He wasn’t recruited by anyone at Towson. He had to ask directions on how to get here. But it was close enough to home in case things didn’t work out.

“I’ve always believed deep down I was good enough to play at this level,” said Josh. “I just had to prove it to somebody.”

Let’s back up a bit.

Despite averaging 15.0 points over his varsity career at Largo High School, Josh was ignored by Division I schools.

He found a home at Division II Mt. Olive College in North Carolina. During Josh’ two years the Trojans posted a 47-15 record with back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division II East Regionals. He was a sixth man, averaging 5.9 points as a freshman and 8.8 points in his sophomore year. Over the two year period he made five starts.

Again, not exactly the kind of play that’ll have the Division I guys banging on the door.

But he was determined.

“When I got to Towson I found out where the basketball team was hanging out on campus and playing in the open gym,” Josh said. “I just started dropping in.”

That’s when he was noticed.

“One of our assistants, Shaun Morris, said there was a kid playing with our guys in the spring pick up games who had very good quickness and strength,” Tiger head coach Pat Kennedy said. “Then Josh asked us if he could join our guys lifting weights in our off-season program. I liked his initiative.”

Josh grew on the Tigers. He finally felt a part of the team when he was invited to be among the contingent that played five games during Towson’s summer foreign tour to Canada.

“That Canadian trip was huge for Josh,” Coach Kennedy said. “It pushed him ahead.”

The Tigers traveled with just four healthy guards. When Troy Franklin went down with an injury early in the tour’s third game, Josh’s playing time increased significantly. Now he really had the coaching staff’s attention.

“I was very aware of the importance of the trip to Canada,” Josh said. “I knew it would give Coach Kennedy a feel for the way I play rather than starting the regular season off not knowing what I could do in a game situation.”

Josh’s chance to show what he could against Division I competition came at the outset of 2009-10 season. He played 14 minutes, scoring six points in the Tigers’ opening season 82-71 victory over Miami of Ohio.

He’d made it. As the season has progressed, he’s meant more to the team than just a sub off the bench.

He’s been a starter the last five games for Towson.

Three minutes into Towson’s game at St. Joseph’s, starting point guard Brian Morris hobbled off the floor on a very sore ankle. As Kennedy looked down the bench the only other point guard he could find was Josh.

“I was hoping for the opportunity but not at Brian’s expense,” Josh said.

Josh finished the game on the floor at St. Joseph’s, playing 35 minutes. In his first start the following game he scored a team high 14 points in a loss against Northeastern. He followed that with career high 38 minutes against George Mason, finishing with a career best six assists. He collected six rebounds in the win at UNC Wilmington that included a clutch fast break layup in the waning moments. He has averaged 28 minutes per game as a starter.

“Josh is very appreciative of everything,” Coach Kennedy said. “He continues to get better and better.”

That’s all Josh ever wanted, a chance to play at the Division I level.

“This opportunity has meant a lot to me,” said Josh. “It’s not something that was given to me, I had to earn it.”

Translation – no scholarship.

But that hasn’t deterred this 6-1, 160 pound guard who wiggled his way into the program and has bucked the odds by making it.