Honoring Brett's Legacy: Help His Family Heal

Story

Honoring Coach Brett Higgins — A Legacy of Love, Baseball, and Family This past week, our North Coast Rebels family suffered a loss that words can hardly hold. Coach Brett Higgins passed away suddenly on Sunday night in Cooperstown — just after a win, doing what he loved. He wasn’t with his wife and boys in that moment, but they were always at the center of his heart. Being a father, a husband, a friend and a coach were the things Brett did best. He gave everything to his family, and to every player who was lucky enough to be coached by him. If you’ve been around Cleveland baseball in the last 20 years, chances are you either played with Brett, were coached by him, or knew someone who was. He had a gift — not just for the game, but for people. He could see something in a kid before anyone else did. He made time for anyone who needed a coach, a mentor, or just someone to believe in them. Brett had a way of forming real connections with people — so much so that if you ask around, most people who knew him would probably say, “He was one of my best friends.” Baseball and family were everything to Brett. And in many ways, those two things were one and the same. His wife, Stacey, knew that too. She used to say that all the “baseball babies” Brett mentored — from every corner of Cleveland — were where he needed to be. That was Brett. Selfless with his time. Always giving. Always showing up. Brett and Stacey were so proud and excited for their sons Jordan and BJ to be starting school at Gilmour Academy and Kent State University, both as freshmen. The pride and joy Brett felt when he spoke of his sons educational pursuits was undeniable. The hole he leaves behind in our team, in our city, and in our hearts is impossible to measure. But what we can do now is show up for the people he loved most — Stacey and their two children — just like he showed up for all of us. This fundraiser is our way of honoring Brett’s legacy and helping the Higgins family during this unimaginable time. Every donation is a step toward helping them heal, and a way to say thank you to a man who gave so much of himself to so many of us. Every single dollar raised will be given to his wife and our amazing friend Stacey Higgins to help her and her sons with any current and future needs as Stacey sees fit. This fundraiser has been approved by the sole beneficiary Stacey Higgins. He’ll always be our coach. He’ll always be our family. Forever a Rebel. Forever Brett.