BHS Brandon Schmidt Signs to Play Football At West Point University

A contract was signed today between Brandon Schmidt, a senior at Bethel High School, and West Point. The contract seals the deal for making Brandon's dream come true. “I have always wanted to play football for a university like this,” he said. “West Point is so historic.”

 As Brandon put pen to paper, he was surrounded by family and the BHS staff who has watched him become the kind of young man that all present believe will make Bethel proud. Principal Patricia Cosentino has known Brandon since the Berry School. “He is a wonderful kid from a very supportive home.”

 Asked to describe Brandon, Cosentino began a never ending list of accolades including, “He's mature, insightful, bright, hardworking, he's calm, a leader, a great role model...” and the list went on.

 Jason Gill, head football coach, said he is excited for Brandon's opportunity to play for West Point. “It's a great school and he's a heck of a football player,” he said.

 Associate head coach Bruce Martin said that this is more than just a great accomplishment, “Brandon is an outstanding player and we all think he will have a great future not just because of football, but because of his character.”

 “He was always mature for his age,” said his mother, Sandra Schmidt. His father, Willie Schmidt, remembered a moment when Brandon, at three years old, expressed that.

 “I remember when he was just a little boy, and he, his brother and his mother were going to Argentina for a few months. I couldn't go. I drove them to the airport and as we were saying goodbye, I asked him for a hug and a kiss, and he said, “Dad, this is not a reason to cry.”

 Brandon's brother Thomas expressed another side to Brandon. “He's my brother. We fight, we play around, we play games. We love each other.”

 Brandon, obviously moved by the praise, was almost beyond words as he tried to express what the moment meant to him. When asked if he felt humbled, he said quietly, “It's just incredible.”

 Brandon's parents immigrated from Argentina when the children were very young. “He has received no real help from us,” his mother said.

 His father continued, “He has done so much on his own. He learned to work hard because in order to make it in this country, we had to work hard. It made him stronger, and he knows what it takes to succeed.”

 To illustrate the point, Coach Gill said, “I saw him as a freshman and what he could do with his athleticism. As a sophomore he earned a starting spot. He was a quarterback as a junior, and at the Thanksgiving game, he broke his hand in three places, and he said, 'I'm playing.' That's strong.”

 Besides football and good grades, Brandon also plays the viola. He said, “I love classical music. Playing the viola in orchestra has opened up a part of me I never knew before.”

 Principal Cosentino summed up the morning, “What an honor to go to West Point, to represent the country and to represent Bethel. We're really proud.”