Brendan Beyl entered the Seattle Academy community as a sixth grader and graduated in 2008. His experiences within the school drew him back to the community, as he now works in the Athletic Department as a teacher and coach.
Brendan at Senior Night 2008.
As a student, Beyl found his place as a basketball player for the Seattle Academy Cardinals, thriving off the school's culture and style. His advisor Cathy Schick, and teacher Lauri Conner quickly became his mentors for school-related advice and help. “They pushed me to be the best I could be, but did not shape me,” said Beyl. “They allowed me to be myself.”
In pursuit of a sports internship, Beyl managed to complete his senior project working for the Seattle Storm. The internship turned into a summer job, as he continued to work on marketing and registration for Seattle Storm’s youth basketball camps.
Beyl attended Central Washington University for one year before finishing his degree online, taking classes on sports science with a focus on management. He completed the online courses while working at Seattle Academy as an assistant coach.
At first Beyl came in as a helper or, for lack of a better word, gopher. His first coaching job was the ultimate team, which was a sport he had little knowledge of. Beyl not only taught himself how to play ultimate, but also formed his own style of coaching. As a SAAS alumnus, Beyl has the unique opportunity to teach and coach the way he remembers worked for him.
“I saw PE teachers running around and having fun teaching kids, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” said Beyl. His coaching job soon became a full-time position working as PE teacher during school hours, and Beyl loves the impact he can have on a student’s development. “I’m not going to force a kid to do anything,” Beyl said, “but I will try to influence and encourage a mindset of effort and attitude.”
Not only has Beyl had an impact on students, but as a co-worker as well. “Beyl is a super team player,” says his former advisor, and current boss Schick. “The last thing he does before he leaves every day is stop by and ask if people need help before he leaves. That’s something you rarely see.”
Beyl has gone full circle, now teaching the same powerful lessons that he once learned from the Seattle Academy community, and all the while living his dream, and improving the lives of those around him.
As a student, Beyl found his place as a basketball player for the Seattle Academy Cardinals, thriving off the school's culture and style. His advisor Cathy Schick, and teacher Lauri Conner quickly became his mentors for school-related advice and help. “They pushed me to be the best I could be, but did not shape me,” said Beyl. “They allowed me to be myself.”
In pursuit of a sports internship, Beyl completed his senior project working for the Seattle Storm. The internship turned into a summer job, as he continued to work on marketing and registration for Seattle Storm’s youth basketball camps.
Senior Night 2008.
Beyl attended Central Washington University for one year before finishing his degree online, taking classes on sports science with a focus on management. He completed the online courses while working at Seattle Academy as an assistant coach.
At first Beyl came in as a helper or, for lack of a better word, gopher. His first coaching job was the ultimate team, which was a sport he had little knowledge of. Beyl not only taught himself how to play ultimate, but also formed his own style of coaching. As a SAAS alumnus, Beyl has the unique opportunity to teach and coach the way he remembers worked for him.
“I saw PE teachers running around and having fun teaching kids, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” said Beyl. His coaching job soon became a full-time position working as PE teacher during school hours, and Beyl loves the impact he can have on a student’s development. “I’m not going to force a kid to do anything,” Beyl said, “but I will try to influence and encourage a mindset of effort and attitude.”
Not only has Beyl had an impact on students, but as a co-worker as well. “Beyl is a super team player,” says his former advisor, and current boss Schick. “The last thing he does before he leaves every day is stop by and ask if people need help before he leaves. That’s something you rarely see.”
Beyl has come full circle, now teaching the same powerful lessons that he once learned from the Seattle Academy community, all the while living his dream, and improving the lives of those around him.