Coach Mike “Papa” Brown MSA Scholarship Fund

This Scholarship is to honor the life of Coach Mike “Papa” Brown and is open to all Albuquerque Public School student-athletes within the Albuquerque Metro Area with a 3.5 GPA or higher. Students must plan to attend college or vocational/trade school starting no later than Fall 2025.

Five winners will be selected and awarded as follows:

Grand Prize: $5,000.
First runner-up: $4,000.
Second runner-up: $3,000.
Third runner-up: $2,000.
Fourth runner-up: $1,000.

Applications can be submitted from August 28, 2024 through February 28, 2025. Winners will be announced around March 28, 2025.

About Coach Mike “Papa” Brown and this scholarship:

On June 30th, 2021, Coach Mike Papa Brown passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home after a long, tough battle with MSA. This incredible man’s love for his family was ever-present in his continued efforts to fight every single day.

As an English teacher, Mr. Brown commanded his student’s attention with his various antics in the classroom. He was passionate about all kinds of literature, Greek Mythology and the history of New Mexico. He took many of his classes on a field trip he affectionately called the “Turquoise Trail”. He challenged his own kids at the dinner table throwing around unusual vocabulary words and he continuously entertained the family with his own poetry. Mr. Brown was an inspiration as a teacher and influenced countless others to follow his lead and become educators.

After 8 years as the assistant basketball coach at the Academy, Mike was offered the head coaching position where he proceeded to lead the Chargers to 6 straight State Championship games and 14 District Championships (1984-2010). Upon retirement, Coach Papa continued coaching as son Danny Brown’s assistant at Highland High School for 6 years (2011-2016) before winding up his coaching career at Volcano Vista with son Greg Brown from 2017 to 2021. Aside from leading the Chargers to an astounding 442 victories over a 26-year period, Coach Brown’s many other accomplishments include city, state and national recognition, as well as several coaching awards. In 2018, Mike was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Mike Brown is a basketball legend in the state of New Mexico. His dedication to family, friends, students, players and the entire basketball community is only to be rivaled by his loyalty, honesty and hard work ethic.

While this is an indescribable loss, the family is finding peace in knowing that Papa’s suffering is over. His strength, courage, dignity, and humility should be an inspiration to everyone

With 100% of Coach Papa Brown’s input, the Brown family is honoring Papa’s legacy with the Coach Mike Papa Brown MSA Scholarship Fund. It’s our intention to use these funds to work to create a scholarship for student-athletes within the Albuquerque Public Schools district who demonstrate the same incredible characteristics of Coach Papa Brown.

Coach Mike “Papa” Brown MSA Scholarhip

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Leadership is the process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal. Coach Mike “Papa” Brown demonstrated leadership throughout his life. He believed in sacrificing for the greater good. He demonstrated respect and acceptance of everyone, regardless of their station in life. He continually empowered those around him, including his players, students, peers, family, and friends. His integrity and generosity guided him through making many tough decisions. Coach Papa never needed accolades or recognition as he selflessly brought people together, lifting them up. As Coach Papa Brown demonstrated, some essential characteristics of leadership include such qualities as: Integrity, Empowerment, Communication, Self-awareness, Gratitude, Influence, Perseverance, Accountability, Loyalty and Empathy.

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