On Saturday, the Brandywine softball team celebrated a long-time teacher, coach and fan alongside the community with the dedication of the Carol Thurston Memorial Softball Field.

This dedication came after the Niles woman passed away on Oct. 18. Thurston retired from her position as Brandywine’s first-ever physical education teacher after 32 years in 1991, but remained active in the community and the softball program until her death.

Also serving as Brandywine’s first volleyball and softball coach, Thurston carried a career of more than 300 victories, and was well-known in the state as a pioneer for women’s athletics.

In addition to her titles of coach, mentor and teacher, Thurston was an active philanthropist, and awarded a scholarship to softball players and managers with at least a 2.0 grade point average for a number of years. Prior to her passing, Thurston arranged to have the scholarship carry on, determined to offer this incentive to softball players in future generations to continue their education. The renewable scholarship is granted to varsity softball players and managers, and was worth up to $7,500.

Carol Thurston is remembered by those who knew her as a positive role model with a kind and giving spirit, and it was a great move on Brandywine’s part to honor these attributes in the form of a dedicated softball field.

Thurston’s name will remain on the softball scoreboard to remind everyone who visits the field of the selfless philanthropist, a dedicated coach, a determined policy-maker and a role model for women everywhere that Carol Thurston was. We commend the school district and community for taking the time to make this happen, and raise the money to carry on this legacy.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.