Disappointment of 2020 strengthens Brandeis' Marc Gardner's resolve after the UIL boys basketball tournament was canceled because of the pandemic.
Time has offered Marc Gardner a chance for reflection and perspective. Sometimes, that’s enough. Other times, it hurts. Nothing, though, can change what happened, and that’s Gardner’s burden to carry. Gardner, the man who began Brandeis’ boys basketball program in 2008, had reached the pinnacle of his coaching career when he guided the Broncos to the UIL state tournament in 2020. It was the first time he led a team to state.
Your all-access pass to the best high school sports coverage in San Antonio “Honestly, it’s still hard when I think about it,” said Gardner who recently completed his 16th season at Brandeis. “I have so many great memories of that team and the things that happened during the season. Memories of getting to the regional tournament and winning the regional tournament were definitely highlights of my career. All of those things were great, and then everything shut down.
The day COVID-19 shut down high school sports Two other area teams were affected by the canceled tournament. Cole played the final game in the 2020 tournament when the Cougars defeated Peaster in the Class 3A semifinals. The UIL suspended the tournament after that game before it was canceled the following week. Wagner was set to play that night, but never made it on the court. Cole returned in 2021 and won the Class 3A state championship.
Brandeis pitcher Matt McClenan voted Express-News Athlete of the Week In the four seasons since 2020, the Broncos have qualified for the playoffs twice. Despite that, Gardner’s passion for coaching remains at an all-time high. He said coaching through the pandemic has strengthened his resolve. “If I would have let that affect my passion for coaching and my passion for kids, that would be purely a selfish thing,” Gardner said. “My role is bigger than just teaching them basketball.