By Holly Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
There was excitement in the air as Maxwell’s Athletic Director Amadeo Soto asked for Coach Eloy Brazil to join him on the court at Maxwell High School Gym Saturday evening, Feb., 17, as the ceremony to honor his 30 plus years of coaching and his recent national award was recognized.
Players past and present, coaches and friends gathered to honor Coach Brazil for receiving the National Federation of High School Coaches Association 2017 National Coach of the Year Award. Brazil was presented with a banner that hangs next to the Maxwell Bears 2017 boys state championship banner, a championship game that the Bears won last year giving them their first State Championship which, ironically was over another school Brazil earned a state championship with while coaching, Springer. He was also presented a plaque noting the national honor.
Coach Brazil has spent his coaching and teaching career in Cimarron, Springer, and Maxwell. According to Coach Brazil he has “over 600 wins and over 300 losses” the losses he attributed to himself. Brazil told the crowd how his basketball career began chasing balls for the older kids when he was only three. He went on to say that he has been doing the job he loves most, coaching.
Coach Brazil and Alberta Martinez, Cimarron Athletic Director, show off the banner that was presented to Coach Brazil, Saturday, February 18 ,2018, at the ceremony in Maxwell.
Memorabilla from Coach Brazil’s career.
A sample of the Awards that Eloy Brazil has won in over 39 years of coaching.
Coach Brazil has molded & touched the lives of many of our youth including my son Robert, nephews Sonny & Thomas YBarra Jr. and grandson Craig Eppler, all from Springer. Thank you Coach & congratulations! Maxwell Schools did a great job honoring you, well deserved.
A great way to honor a Northern New Mexico legend. Congratulations Coach Brazil. Coach Brazil coached my son Robert & grandson Craig & two nephews Sonny & Thomas Jr. Ybarra in Springer. My son Deo Soto now assists him and works with him as the Maxwell Athletic Director. I think Coach Brazil has touched the lives of many of our children.