There was an article printed in the Daily News Journal about former LCA student- Gabe Brewer that had some untruth printed with it. I was Gabe's coach for 10 years and have been blessed to be a part of his life for that long. Gabe was an unbelievable young man in the way he lived his life for Jesus Christ. He had great character and lived his life on purpose and with principles.
Truth, Honesty, and Integrity were always at the top of the list with Gabe. In 10 years of coaching him there were no lies between us. It was a special relationship that I will always hold close to my heart, I will miss him every minute I am here on this earth.
The untruth that was printed in the article was Gabe was preparing to go to LCA his senior year. Gabe was not preparing to go back to LCA he was preparing to go to Family Christian Academy and transfer his senior season. He left the school for numerous reasons, but was faithful and loyal to his coaching staff. For that I am forever thankful.
I am very thankful for the years we had at Lancaster and we built a championship program. It did not end the way we wanted it to at LCA, the easiest thing for us would be to go back this season coach and leave at the end- which probably would have been another championship season. But Gabe's life was based on principles- he had a cross centered life and all of us were taking a more difficult road of building another program. Gabe was excited about the opportunity and challenge to build again.
In this life we really have two types of people- givers and takers. Gabe was a giver to all those who knew him. My life has been better because he is in it.
Gabe walks into eternity a champion on and off the court. This past season we went 33-4 and won the MTAC Championship, but it was our most difficult season on and off the court.
Some ask me was it worth it? It was worth every ounce of pain, every minute in a meeting, every talk with the administration, every second in practice, and defending every attack on his character and our character as a team during the season because it all had purpose in shaping us as people and as a team. Gabe loved the team, but was willing to give it up because of principles. He led a cross centered life and I was blessed to be a part of it.
I appreciate the Lancasters and the opportunity to serve the Lord together. I disagree with their educational and athletic philosophies, but I do appreciate what they have done in Gabe's and my life. They were a part of our journey and I do appreciate that.