Some might think this is a story of a diehard basketball coach who leads a highly ranked high school women’s basketball program and who is blessed with two talented daughters that help lead the team to the state championships. Well, it is, but there is so much more to the story of the Choctawhatchee High School Women’s Basketball Program. It’s about the Brown family and their involvement at the school. And by the looks of it, the combination is working very well!
Stephanie and Don Brown have been coaching the Lady Choctaws for over a decade now. Stephanie was officially the head coach, Don the assistant¸ but when she was pregnant with youngest son Jayce, she had to slow down for health reasons. So, Don stepped up as the head coach. But according to Stephanie they really co-coach and have since they started. You can tell after 21 years of marriage and this long coaching together they have a system that works. But let us take a step back and tell the rest of the story.
Don and Stephanie are both from rural Vernon, Florida. Don was a star baseball player at Vernon High School drafted by the Cincinnati Reds Organization. He would rise as high as AAA before being part of the trade with the New York Mets that included pitcher John Franco. After a stretch with the Baltimore Orioles following his time with the Mets, Don completed his seven year career in professional baseball and returned to Vernon. During the baseball years Stephanie was getting her teaching degree from the University of West Florida. At this time with a young Brittany, the young family decided to move to Fort Walton to make a better life for them and their daughter. Stephanie began teaching at Choctawhatchee High School in 1998, and after he completed his degree at Northwest Florida, Don began teaching and coaching in 1999.
Now there are three Brown children that play a big part of this story as well, Brittany, Gabby, and Jayce. Brittany (20), currently a junior point guard at Florida State, helped lead the Lady Choctaws on a run for the state championship. Gabby, (16) a junior point guard at Choctawhatchee High who is hoping to help lead the team to a state title. Jayce, (10) currently plays youth football. However, with some time, he may be the best of athlete of the three. Being active in sport is a part of the Brown household, as well as excelling in the classroom. Stephanie and Don stress the importance of education and it shows with all three children being honor students. The Browns have both come from humble beginnings and have raised their children along the same lines; work hard, nothing’s free, do right, and family is important.
None of the children were ever pushed into playing sports, the eldest, Brittany, picked up a ball as soon as she was able and hasn’t put one down since. Stephanie recalls taking her to summer basketball camps where Brittany constantly worked on improving. She was always out in the driveway shooting hoops. Now Gabby has taken a different route, as both her parents say she was “girlie-girlie”. In time though she was drawn to the game where she is making a name for herself and already getting looks from collegiate programs. The baby of the family Jayce is like his eldest sister, he is always playing and when Brittany is home, outside shooting together.
So why do the Browns spend extra time coaching athletics? They have done it to spend time with their children. They have an innate love for sports and this is shared by their kids. Coaching and teaching at Choctawhatchee High School has allowed both of them the extra time they would not get in any other situation. They know all too well that coaching your own child is a double edge sword. Don tells of a time when Brittany was having a bad practice day and he kicked her out of the gym. She couldn’t believe her Dad would do that. But at home that night he explained he had to do what was best for the team. Stephanie recalls losing in the state championship game and Gabby was in tears. She had to keep her composure, but as a mom she wanted to hold her daughter and cry with her. They also remember the stir it caused when Don started Brittany as a freshman on the varsity. As the coach you want to play the best five players, but some were saying it was because she was his daughter. He laughs now because Brittany quieted the doubters with her play.
Don and Stephanie have both said they are sometimes considered hard and old fashioned with their children, but they do it out of love. They want to see their son and daughters grow up to be good people and be successful in life. This is also the message they send to the other athletes they coach and mentor. As a family they spend a lot of time together, and enjoy that time together whether on a family trip or a trek to Tallahassee to see big sister play. The Browns are a very special family, who impact young people, and Choctawhatchee High School is very fortunate to have them in the game.
A Family Affair
written and photography by: Arnold Gamber
