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Furm's Take: P.S. We Love You, Coach
By Cory Furman
Assistant Athletics Director, Messiah College
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Posted Dec. 23, 2008
Dave Brandt has touched many lives over the last 24 years, including that of best friend and Messiah women's soccer head coach Scott Frey. It only makes sense for those individuals to co-author this column. Here's the chance.

Grantham, PA – This is just too big.

If you’re reading this, I need your help.

As Dave Brandt pondered his future over the last several days, eventually deciding to accept the head men’s soccer coaching position at the United States Naval Academy, a recurring thought kept sprinting through my head:

If this happens, how do I possibly do this man justice with a parting column?

I mean, we’re talking about a guy who’s bled Messiah blue for 31 years – the last 24 in a coaching role. Six national championships, eight Final Fours, the best winning percentage in the entire history of NCAA men’s soccer … and I’ve been at Messiah for all of 13 months.

Again, too much.

I thought about trying to interview some players, track down some alumni – but who? Dave Brandt has made an impact on so many lives, I quickly realized the process of choosing interviewees was an exercise in futility.

At this point, I know two things for certain:

  1. Dave Brandt struggled mightily – and I mean mightily – with this decision.
  2. If you’ve had anything to do with the Messiah men’s soccer program – as a fan, player, alum, etc. – you have to write the rest of this column for me.

I’m very serious about both items. One might think, after pouring his heart and soul into Messiah for so long, that this decision would be a no-brainer. What more can he accomplish here? But the truth was quite the contrary. For a guy that always appears in total control, Dave Brandt’s world was in a tailspin for much of the last two weeks. And that’s not a slight to Navy in any way – it was purely Coach Brandt’s love for Messiah ceasing to lessen its grip on him.

As for item two, this is where you come in. I’ve set up a blog in hopes that it will serve as a forum to celebrate Dave Brandt’s legacy here – a chance to say thank-you, a chance to let others see exactly what this man has meant to so many people for so many years.

You can post your comments here. And who knows? It may just turn into one of the best going away presents we can collectively give to Coach Brandt and his family.

A simple ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem to suffice, considering what Coach Brandt has given to Messiah. But there is strength in numbers. Let your voice be heard. After all, it’s clear I can’t get it done alone.

But thanks, Coach Brandt. Thanks for welcoming me into your family. I’m honored and humbled to call you a friend. Now, let’s see what everyone else has to say.

WRITE YOUR COMMENTS TO COACH BRANDT ON THE TRIBUTE BLOG HERE.


Cory Furman is the assistant athletics director for public relations and marketing at Messiah College. His monthly column, “Furm’s Take” does not necessarily represent the views of Messiah College or the Messiah College department of athletics. Have a comment? Click here to send him an email.