The only thing sweeter than savoring the highest highs of victory as a college athlete? Seeing your son extend those triumphs even further. For Chris Brandt ā85 Pā14 Pā18, his time as a basketball player and golfer influenced everything about his CMC experienceāand beyond.
āFrom the moment I arrived at the freshman orientation check-in table and met (golf captain) Geoff Russell ā84 through graduation day, my connection to and involvement with CMC Athletics changed my life,ā he said. āMy deepest memories, most cherished friendships, and greatest mentorship came from fellow athletes and coaches.ā
Brandt got his job through a CMS Athletics alumnus, met his wife, DeDe (a Scripps alumna), through that same job, and later sent his children, Christina ā14 and Jonathan ā18, to CMC.
Jonathan also played on the first CMS menās golf team that won a national championshipāa āwowā moment that was even more special for Dad, āthe kind of experience you dream about sharing together as a family.ā
Supporting CMS Athletics is a cause that is deeply personal, Brandt said. Beyond bleeding maroon and goldāāIām probably obnoxious in my pride,ā he joked of his fandomāBrandt said heās active with CMS volunteerism and giving because of how much everyone at the College truly cares.
For instance, when longtime menās golf coach Bim Jollymour retired this year, Brandt and his son helped organize a virtual send-off. Itās the kind of meaningful gesture that can go a long way to show appreciation and support.
āDivision III sports are so unique because there really isnāt a lot of financial incentive. You have to love it,ā he said. āAnd because of that, you get everyoneās personal attention and investment, something special that you can carry forward. That definitely happened for me.
āThe lessons I learned from CMS Athletics I still use every day.ā