Brian Brandt Memorial game scheduled for Saturday
STAFF REPORT Nov 7, 2013

Alumni from Newman Smith High School and R.L. Turner High School will play each other in the second annual Brian Brandt Memorial Flag Football Game at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov 16, at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton.

The memorial flag football game was created as a fundraising event last year in memory of the late Brian Brandt, a 1987 R.L. Turner High School graduate who died unexpectedly of a heart attack while attending a soccer match with his family.

“Brian's loss left his family with some unexpected finances, so several of Brian’s childhood friends rallied together to create the Brian Brandt Memorial Football Game,” said Doug Chitwood, who is coordinating the R.L. Turner efforts.

“In its inaugural year, the event drew a very strong crowd and raised over $7,000 for the Brandt family,” said Nick Gochis, organizer of the Newman Smith efforts.

With a goal of $10,000 in 2013, the funds raised will be donated to each school, as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund of Dallas (JDRF). The players are kicking off the fundraising efforts by donating $50 each to play.

Donations can be made online or by check, as well as at the game on Saturday. Those who wish to donate through PayPal should use [email protected]. all funds collected are going to 501(c)(3) charities.

Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Brian Brandt Memorial Fund and mailed to the Law Offices of Tim O'Hare, c/o Tim O'Hare, 1038 Elm Street, Carrollton, TX 75006.

“This annual football game is always a fun event,” said Gochis. “The great part of this event is that everyone involved grew up with Brain and played one or more sports with him as children.”

“I never imagined the game would have such an impact on my life,” said Chitwood. “I have reconnected with so many childhood friends and made many more.”

Admission to the event is free. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm, but the gates to Standridge Stadium will open at 3:00 pm for tailgating and a friendly rivalry meet and greet. Barbecue will be provided by Hard Eight BBQ of Coppell. T-shirts will be available for purchase.

For more information about attending, participating, donating or sponsoring the Brian Brandt Memorial Football Game, contact Doug Chitwood at [email protected] or 214.205.7411, or Nick Gochis at [email protected] or 214.682.7043.

About The Brian Brandt Memorial

Established in 2012, the Brian Brandt Memorial Football Game was created help raise money for the family of Brian Brandt after his untimely death. Brandt was a great father, husband, athlete and 1987 R.L. Turner High School alumni. This annual flag football game is a contest between two rival high schools, Newman Smith and R.L. Turner of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District based in Carrollton, Texas.