Christoval Basketball Team Dedicates Game to Brian Daniels

“You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live," Stuart Scott, an American sportscaster once said.

Christoval High School’s Girls Basketball Coach Scott Richardson recited this quote to a full gymnasium Saturday afternoon during a dedication ceremony prior to the start of the Hoops for Hope game dedicated to former coach, Brian Daniels, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Being a former educator, coach, and well-known man in the community, Daniels has received an outpouring of support, which is how he gained the attention of Christoval’s basketball team.

“We wanted to have a Hoops for Hope game to bring about cancer awareness, and we wanted to honor a local family that was battling any type of cancer situation,” Richardson stated. “It was brought to our attention that Coach Daniels, who coached at Christoval and whose wife went to Christoval, was dealing with cancer, and so the kids and I decided that would be a good family to honor at the game.”

After the varsity girls’ Hoops for Hope basketball game, the Daniels family was invited to the middle of the gymnasium, where Richardson gave a short but heart-felt speech. Although Brian himself could not attend the dedication ceremony, Richardson explained how the former coach taught biology and coached at Monahans, Miles, Eldorado, and Christoval. Richardson made sure that Daniels' work did not go unnoticed.

“[Brian] is an inspiration to us all,” he said. “We certainly appreciate what he has put into education and the kids’ lives, and this was a great opportunity for us to reach out and honor the work he’s done in education, and at the same time, show our support.”

A game ball that was signed by the members of the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams was presented to the Daniels family. After senior MaClay Buie handed the ball to Daniels’ youngest son, Logan, the family received a standing ovation; a way for the audience to show the family that they were all behind them.

For Buie, this was more than just another basketball game. She has known Daniels for years and said she looks up to him as a father-figure in her life.

“He has always been there for me, always willing to help me through hard times,” she noted. “Through knowing Coach Daniels, I have been shown how important family is. He is so passionate about his family and those that are like his family. Seeing how much he loves his kids and grandkids, along with feeling the love he gives me, makes me want to cherish every little moment with the ones I love. Coach Daniels’ love will be something I always remember. He is one of the strongest and most stubborn people I know; he will beat cancer.”

Buie was just one of many team members who felt strongly about honoring Coach Daniels at the game.

Richardson said, “[The kids] were all really excited about it from the beginning. They wanted to do everything they could to make it a big deal for the family, to promote as much as they could so they could raise as much money as they could for the family.”

Daniels’ family includes a loving wife, four biological children, five step children, and nine grandchildren who are rooting for him in this battle.

Son and local musician, Brice Daniels, claimed that his father is the reason he continues to play.

“He’s the reason I haven’t quit, because he wouldn’t let me. He’s definitely a coach,” said Brice.

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Needless to say, the Daniels family was more than touched when they were notified of the Christoval dedication ceremony.

Daughter Lauren said, “We were all very much in shock. Dad called us the day that Coach Richardson called him. He was very honored. He actually had to pull over on the side of the road and cry. He said that he is nobody important and there was no reason for anybody to do these things for him and asked for us to be there. He didn’t think he made the impact on people’s lives that he has, so he was not expecting to have this much love and appreciation shown.”

After Daniels was officially diagnosed, he and his family sought more information at MD Anderson in Houston. Since returning to San Angelo, he has been at Shannon Hospital for pain management, and has received two chemo therapy treatments so far. Even though the cancer has spread to Brian’s spleen, liver, and colon, he and his family continue to be in very good spirits.

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Brice stated, “[We are handling it] surprisingly well. It’s been hectic to say the least with everybody trying to figure out what they need to do to help.”

Lauren noted that “[Brian] is very hopeful and very optimistic. He’s kind of down on himself. He wishes he could be here with all of us and he’s just not able to now.”

While all of the proceeds from the Christoval game went to the Daniels family, a Go Fund Me account has also been set up for medical and travel expenses, and a benefit will be held Jan. 24, 2016 at Blaine’s Pub.

“He’s a good man," stated Brice. "He’s done a lot for people that he may know very well or he doesn’t know at all; it doesn’t really matter to him. He will help anybody out any time they need it. We play more benefits it seems like, than paying gigs, but he loves it. He loves to help people out. He’s always told me that if you do good things for good people, good things will come back around for you. Even when he’s been burned, he still does the right thing. Now, he’s got a chance for other people to help him.”

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The Brice Daniels Band will be headlining the benefit in January. A $10 donation will be collected at the door and will include a plate of food. A live and silent auction will also be included in the day’s activities.

Additionally, Lauren stated, “I want to tell everybody thank you on behalf of the family. We appreciate everything that everybody’s done and is doing. I know that when it comes to financial situations, not everybody can help, and that is fine, but I do ask that everybody prays. One thing that [Brian] would tell everybody is to tell the people you love, that you love them every day and never take any single day for granted.”

The Daniels family Go Fund Me account is here.