TITLE: In memory of Coach L. Z. Bryan of Lake Jackson.

SUMMARY: In memory of Coach L. Z. Bryan of Lake Jackson.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Brazoria County lost a beloved resident and a respected mentor to many with the passing of L. Z. Bryan of Lake Jackson on July 27, 2009; and WHEREAS, Known simply as "Coach" by players, friends, and family alike, L. Z. Bryan spent his life training, inspiring, and leading high school athletes; and WHEREAS, A 1946 graduate of Milby High School in Houston, L. Z. Bryan played football at the University of Houston and was named to the 1949 All-Gulf Coast Conference Team; he began his coaching career at Galena Park High School, where he served for five years before joining the Brazosport Independent School District; and WHEREAS, Coach Bryan spent 12 seasons at Brazosport High School, eventually leaving to become the first football coach at Brazoswood High School in 1969; during his tenure at Brazoswood, he compiled a record of 150-40-4, led nine teams to the state playoffs, and captured the 1974 state 4A football championship; after 18 years in the post, he was appointed the district's athletic director; and WHEREAS, Coach Bryan's football teams were regarded across the state as tough competitors who were well disciplined and trained; invoking his memory, the 2009 Brazoswood team carried forward the legacy of this remarkable man as players raced onto fields carrying a flag emblazoned with "LZ" and donned helmets with the same; and WHEREAS, In his many football stories, Coach Bryan always emphasized the players more than the outcome of the game; he remembered his athletes long after they were grown and took great pride in their achievements; following his retirement in 1990, he continued his efforts to mold young men into good citizens through his support of the L. Z. Bryan/Flash Walker golf tournament, which raises money for college scholarships; and WHEREAS, Coach Bryan was well respected by his peers, who chose him as district coach of the year seven times and elected him president of the Texas High School Coaches Association; moreover, he was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Honor in 1990 and the Houston Football Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2006; the local community recognized his contributions in 2004 with the dedication of the field house at Hopper Field in his honor; and WHEREAS, Though it is impossible to gauge the full effect of one man's life, some individuals leave their unmistakable mark on the world as they move through it, and L. Z. Bryan had an enduring influence not only on his players, fellow coaches, family, and friends, but on the entire Brazosport community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature pay tribute to the memory of Coach L. Z. Bryan and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Helen Laura Bryan; to his children, Barbara Anders and her husband, Pinky, Nancy Gilbert and her husband, John, and Larry Bryan and his wife, Cheryl; to his grandchildren, Robin Lapier and her husband, Jimmie, Holly Ross, Bryan Gilbert and his wife, Julie, Brad Gilbert and his wife, Ashley, Justin Gilbert and his wife, Courtney, Austin Gilbert, Travis Bryan and his wife, Morgan, Tyler Bryan, Andrew Smith, and Mathew Smith; to his great-grandchildren, Scott and Blake Lapier, Chase Ross, Walker, Braden, Grant, and Justin Gilbert; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Coach L. Z. Bryan. Bonnen Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1381 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 28, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House