SUPPORTING WESTMINSTER
WESTMINSTER
| SPRING 2012
A Living Legacy The legacy of the late Brian T. Bruyette ’77 lives on at Westminster in many forms. Following Brian’s untimely death from cancer in 1977, just months after his Westminster School graduation, his parents Kathy and Gene Bruyette P’77, ’78 established the Brian T. Bruyette ’77 Fund at Westminster to honor his memory. As a Martlet, Brian distinguished himself in the classroom and on the playing field. He played on the First Football, First Boys’ Hockey and First Boys’ Lacrosse teams, sang in the choir and was a member of the John Hay Society. His sister Barry Bruyette O’Laughlin is a member of the Class of 1978. “We established the fund to cover unbudgeted expenses of the athletic program because the athletic program was such an important part of Brian’s life,” said Gene. “We know that a high-quality sports program has a significant impact on the lives of all of the students.”
Making Enhancements to the Athletic Program Possible Over the years, the Brian T. Bruyette ’77 Fund has permitted purchase of enhancements for the Westminster athletic program, ranging from training room equipment to scoreboards to team benches. The gifts are outside of the scope of the school’s normal operating budget. They can be recognized around the Hill by the specially designed presentation of the BTB medallion. Faculty member Dennis Daly P’01, ’04 originated the BTB logo shortly after he was first appointed director of athletics in 1991. Some of the most visible items purchased through the fund are travel bags for every Westminster athlete. While the bags vary in size by sport, all the teams carry the same bags, which include the school’s name and the BTB logo.
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“Since 2005, every athlete has carried the BTB logo on his or her bag to both home and away games,” said Dennis. “This allows us to carry Brian’s memory with us wherever we compete. We never could have afforded the bags without this generosity.” Other recent purchases have included digital A photo of Brian T. Bruyette cameras for coaches to ’77 from the 1977 Spectator use at practices and yearbook. games, portable scoreboards, padded seats for the basketball court and a golf cart. The golf cart facilitates movement from the different athletic departure sites and between game fields for the athletics director and assistant athletics director, maximizing contact and presence in the least amount of travel time. It is also used for assisting visiting teams taking water from training rooms to the fields, plus transportation for alumni, grandparents and parents in need of assistance at various events. “Anything that is permanent and enhances athletics, the Bruyettes have funded,” said Dennis. “I can’t imagine what Westminster athletics would look like without their ongoing support.” The fund has received numerous contributions over the years from family members, members of the Class of 1977 — often for their reunions — employees of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, of which Gene Bruyette was a founder and former chairman, and the Chairman of Westminster’s Board of Trustees Tread Mink ’77, P’11, a classmate, teammate and close friend of Brian’s. “What really made Brian stand out was his enthusiasm, drive, sense of humor and sportsmanship,” said Tread. “He exemplified Grit and Grace. Westminster students have benefited, perhaps far more than they have realized, from the Brian T. Bruyette Fund. Gene and Kathy have always wanted people to benefit immediately from the fund and that has been a driving force behind it. They care a great deal about Westminster and the community.”
Recognizing Excellence and Character Another tribute to Brian occurred when the Brian T. Bruyette ’77 Senior Athletic Award was created. It was initially funded by Gene’s partner Harry Keefe, founding chairman of Keefe Bruyette & Woods. It is Every Westminster athlete carries a travel bag that includes the BTB logo.
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