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To Coach Brown and Williston Community,

I had these notes prepared to present at the HOF ceremony in 2020, but COVID cancelled the event.  I’m so happy to have an opportunity to share them in honor of Coach Brown.  (Apologies for the length, I hope it’s worth it.)

My parents didn’t want me to go to boarding school.  They thought I just needed to apply myself differently in my situation in New York.  They were probably right, but I was able to convince them to send me to boarding school, and more importantly, to Williston.  Nonetheless, there was still a degree of skepticism when they dropped me off at Mem dorm in the Fall of 1982 for pre-season soccer practice.

About a month or two into the school year, there was Parents Weekend.  My parents came up, and one of the first events was a faculty meet and greet in the old gym.  I remember taking my parents around and introducing them to my teachers.  At some point during the event, we ran into Ray Brown, who at the time was my soccer coach, and later in my senior year, would be my physics teacher.   I don’t remember what we talked about, but I do recall my parents spending the rest of the evening with him.

Many, many years later when my parents and I were talking about Williston, they mentioned that evening and meeting Coach Brown.  They told me that after meeting Coach Brown, all their concerns about me going away to school disappeared.  They felt that in his orbit, my feet would stay on the ground, and my head would stay screwed on the right way.

I give my parents a lot of credit for making that assessment after one conversation.  They didn’t have the benefit of experiencing everything I did with Coach Brown over three years.

First off, the relationships and respect Coach Brown had with all the other soccer coaches in Western New England was immediately evident.  He always spoke admiringly of them, and you could see from how they treated Coach, they had the highest respect for him.  It was a real community of coaches, mentoring all the soccer players across all the schools.

But what sticks out the most was the preparation Coach Brown provided us.  Every Monday and Thursday after warm-ups, Coach would have us sit in the stands and review the previous game and talk about the upcoming game.  The notes he would give us about the opponent, the things we had to focus one, gave us the best chance – as individuals and as a team – to perform at or above our best.  And then there were the films in his classroom.  We watched a lot of film!  Getting your team and players to perform at or above their potential is THE definition of a great coach.  My junior year we just missed going to the NE tournament in our last game.  Our only solace was that the eventual champion, Suffield (ugh!), had one blemish on their record – a tie with us from earlier in the season.  That year was one of the most rewarding in my athletic career.  I’m so glad Ray Brown’s legacy continues with this Scholarship Fund.

Terry Martin ‘85

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Grateful for our connection with Coach Brown and Williston

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Grateful for our connection with Coach Brown and Williston

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The Francis’s, Browns, Carpenters, Couch’s and more were an integral part of the LoBello family. How grateful my family is for our connection with Williston all these years. Mr. Brown with his always happy smile and sincere hand shake has been a big part of my life. Thank you. 😎👍❤️

-Vinny LoBello '73

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I played basketball for Coach Brown from 1979 to 1982 and was in his physics class my junior year. Mr. Brown was one of my favorite teachers and coaches during my four years at Willison. I loved his physics class so much, that I considered attending a college where I could major in physics. My favorite memories of Coach Brown were on the basketball court. He had nicknames for many of us. His constant encouragement let us know that he had confidence that we could achieve more than we ever thought possible. That encouragement and confidence has fueled my efforts as I have navigated my years beyond Williston. Thank you, Mr. Brown.

Glenna Clark Clapp '82

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I loved playing basketball for Coach Brown! He taught us to play as a team, to do our best, and to love the game. Brownie gave me a nickname, which was very special for me, and I can still hear him greeting me with “Hey Olie!” on the quad. What a good, sweet and brilliant man, one of my most important influences at Williston.

Kristen (Olson) Vance McCormick ‘79

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I may have been Coach Brown's least talented athlete, but he always made me feel part of the team! I ended up at Kenyon College (and happily so) thanks in no small part to his encouragement. Forever grateful for such kindness and support!

xo Tamsin Smith '84

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Coach Brown had a huge influence on my life and I am happy to give to Williston and his scholarship in his honor.

-Tim Wheaton '79

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Ray is an inspiration to everyone he encountered!

-Jenna Pelech '99

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Ray Brown was an inspiration and motivator to succeed in school life both on and off the field. I was fortunate to be a part of 2 very successful and talented soccer teams under coach Brown's tutelage. I hope the fund will go to recruiting fine young student athletes that can help the program and the school.

-Harry Cushing '77

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In the classroom and on the court, Ray Brown believed in us, so we could believe in ourselves. Every day I feel the impact he had on my life. His contributions to the lives of the students he touched are immeasurable. I'm forever grateful.

-Deborah Brandts Bettag '79

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Ray was more than just a mentor to me.  He was a guiding light and gave me an opportunity to succeed.  Ray was one of,  if not the best coach I have ever had as well.  We never wanted to let Ray down on the soccer field because he had so much faith and confidence in us to meet his expectations.  We knew that going into every game.  I can remember his encouraging words pregame, half time, post game, practices, like it was yesterday.

Cheers,

Bob Hazen '81

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It is so well deserved to recognize Coach/Brownie/Ray and his amazing and lasting impact on so many students, so many athletes, so many people connected to Williston and to the school in general while also supporting the next generation of wildcats! This is great news!

-Connie Wilson '86