All good things must come to an end, and that is what has happened here at Cathedral Preparatory School. On Friday, Oct. 1, Prep bid a very sad farewell to the man, myth, and legend, coach and teacher Mr. Mark Brooks. He accepted a teaching position with the Northwestern School District. Over the years, we have all grown familiar with Coach Brooks, whether it was in the classroom, on football field, or in the gymnasium.
Coach Brooks was a good teacher, a good friend, and an overall good person. His efforts helped to keep the halls of Prep relaxed and enthusiastic, surely making each and every day more enjoyable for the students. To Mr. Brooks, teaching and coaching at CP has been a very educational and fulfilling experience. He had nothing but good things to say about the staff and the students of Prep and nothing but the best of wishes for Prep going forward. He also emphasized that his absence during the school day would not be an accurate depiction of his involvement with the school moving forward, as he will still be coaching the football team for the foreseeable future.
There are a lot of things Coach Brooks said he will miss about Prep, and a lot of things that he wanted to pay tribute to upon his departure. First and foremost, he acknowledged the brotherhood. He expressed his appreciation for the impeccable school spirit and tight-knit community that we have here at Prep. As we know, we have the best student section in the state, and he gave plenty of thanks for their continuous support at each and every football game. He also recalled the joy he would get from beating Mr. Tony Parsons in fantasy football. Obviously, there was a lot of friendly competition in the workplace for Coach Brooks.
Though he is leaving the school, he made sure to make it known that he will take a lot of things with him from Prep to any other place that he goes. Brooks said that he has learned so much from Coach Mischler, not just about coaching but about being a good individual and family man in today’s society. He also showed great appreciation for the things that Coach G has done for him, saying that it has been beyond enjoyable working beside him in health and gym classes.
After it is all said and done, Brooks felt that he had been at a special place here at Cathedral Prep. “The students and brotherhood is what makes this place what it is, and I am glad that I got to experience it,” he said. “I am not a Prep graduate and unfortunately never will be, but I am incredibly lucky to have been immersed in it during my years at this school.”
As a final nod, he wanted to leave the students of Prep with a small but heartfelt note: “I just wanted to take a minute to thank CP Nation for welcoming me and allowing me to be a part of the Prep family the past three and a half years. I have made so many great friends and memories during this [time] and will never forget my experiences. I will continue coaching at CP for the foreseeable future, and I look forward to continuing our success on the football field. Roll Ramblers!”
Coach Brooks, on behalf of the entire student body, thank you. We will feel your absence at all times here at Cathedral Prep. Roll Ramblers, indeed.