Excelsior Springs holds a special place in the heart of Sam ‘Beaver’ Brown. More than just his hometown, it’s the fertile ground where his passion for coaching and mentoring young people took root, nurtured by a vibrant community, dedicated coaches, and the endless hours spent honing his skills in Siloam Park.
Beaver’s story began in 1945 when his family arrived in Excelsior Springs. They settled at 309 Isley, a stone’s throw from the legendary Siloam Park and across the alley from one of his best friends, Sam Shouse. It was Sam Shouse’s father who would give Mr. Brown his enduring nickname. “Mr. Shouse would come out of the house and say, ‘Sam, it’s time for dinner!’ And I didn’t know any different; I was a little kid. So, I’d run across the alley and sit down at the table… and one day, he looked at me and said, ‘You’re not Sam, you’re Beaver!’ And that became my nickname.” he recounted with a chuckle. “It’s what everyone called me.”
Siloam Park became Beaver’s second home. From sunup to sundown, he and his friends, like Benny Weirzbicki, Kenny Southwick, and Donnie Shelton, roamed its grounds, playing whatever ball they could find – cork ball, basketball, baseball, any excuse to unleash their competitive spirit. The passion of their coaches, the raw talent around him, and the sheer athletic prowess of Excelsior Springs High School in the 60s fueled Beaver’s own athletic dreams. He excelled in baseball, basketball, and track and was a part of the legendary football team that won 43 straight games from 1963 to ‘68.
His talent caught the eye of the University of Missouri, where he landed a full ride for football and basketball. College sports exposed him to a new level of dedication and the thrill of playing under legendary Missouri football coach Dan Devine. After graduating from Mizzou in 1972, Beaver returned to Excelsior Springs as an eager assistant coach, ready to share his knowledge with the next generation.
But the coaching journey, as Beaver readily admits, got off to a bumpy start. His first coaching stint at Excelsior Springs, as an assistant to Jack Baumgartner, saw the Tigers face the bitter pill of 19 straight losses. Yet, it was that adversity that shaped his coaching philosophy. “I learned how to build a team, how to motivate kids when things were tough,” he said, a hint of humility in his voice.
Brown was considering returning to Missouri to be a graduate assistant for coach Al Onofrio, But Excelsior Springs offered him the job as the head football coach. “There I was, just 24 years old, and standout Gregg Williams was a junior, and I just said to myself, let’s do this!” he recalled. In 1974, Brown met his wife Cindy, who was also a teacher at Excelsior Springs, and a year later, they were married. They stayed in Excelsior Springs for another five years.
Coach Brown’s toughness served him well in his subsequent coaching stops at Grandview High School, William Jewell College, and Shawnee Mission North High School. Though trophies and accolades followed, the true measure of success lies in the countless young lives he has touched.
Coach Brown remains a humble cheerleader for Excelsior Springs, his heart forever beating to the rhythm of his hometown. He recently played an instrumental role in the honorary road dedications for his beloved coaches and mentors, Vic Bonuchi and John Shepherd, working behind the scenes to ensure their legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
In retirement, Coach Brown remains connected to football and his community. His son Mack Brown has followed in his footsteps and has worked his way into the NFL as an offensive assistant for the New York Jets. When not visiting his children (Mack and Maggie) and new grandson (Reed), Beaver still coaches a group of young quarterbacks, hits the golf course when the weather permits, and keeps a watchful eye on his beloved Excelsior Springs. The town’s recent developments, particularly the new community center, fill him with pride. “The people of Excelsior have been blessed with facilities that are bar none,” he says, crediting community leaders like Jesse Hall and Molly McGovern.
Sam ‘Beaver’ Brown’s story speaks to the power of community, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of a small town. His journey from the dusty fields of Siloam Park to the hallowed halls of Missouri and onto the sidelines of countless high school teams is a legacy not just of athletic achievements but of the countless young lives he shaped, instilling in them the same values of dedication, teamwork, and love for the game that was instilled in him on the streets of Excelsior Springs.
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