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Every great story includes wonderful characters, humble beginnings, a bit of tragedy and redemption, and a happy ending. The Brezina Family is one such story.
The father died when the oldest was twelve. The mother, Gertrude, never remarried and chose to do something that was unheard of during the ’50s—raise eight children as a single parent.
The eight siblings—seven boys and one girl—grew up in Louise, a small Texas town about eighty miles south of Houston. According to the oldest, Robert “Bob” Brezina (’63), they didn’t know they were poor. “We didn’t realize it. We were the kids on free lunch,” he says. “We were raised on a good Christian foundation, which made a difference on how you dealt with growing up with very little. Our mother instilled in us—a family that prays together stays together.”
One of Bob’s fondest memories of his dad, Eligius “Breezy,” was the competitive nature that he nurtured in his children early on. “Dad would line us up, including our sister Nancy, on the road to race with each of us in varying places based on our abilities so that we would all have an equal chance to win,” he says smiling. “He built competition into our family…. You won’t find another family as competitive as the Brezinas.”
And the University of Houston Cougars couldn’t agree more.
Road to UH
All the boys played football for Louise High School. Bob was the first. That’s where he met his wife of forty-nine years, Mary Ann, who was the head cheerleader. After graduating from high school, Bob set his sights on UH even though he had a chance to play for schools such as Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and LSU. “Too many big-name, high-profile recruits were going to the big schools,” he adds. “I thought I would get to play more at UH.”
Bob was right. He played for two years under Hal Lahar and his senior year under Bill Yeoman, who selected him as his first team captain. And twenty-five years later, Bob’s son, Robert “Robby” Brezina (’86, M.B.A. ’87) was named Yeoman’s last team captain.
“Yeoman is one of the best individuals I’ve ever met in my life,” says Robby. “It was an honor to play with the legacy of my father and uncles before me.” Father and son both agree. “Yeoman was a great coach and a great man,” says Bob. “He cared about his players, was always very gracious, and had compassion for poor kids.”
Then There Were Three
Brothers August “Gus” (’61) and Cassian Bernard “Bernie” (’62) joined Bob at UH.
“It was always good to see Bobby do well. Being together as a family on the playing field gave us all a great sense of pride,” says Gus. “Next to family, playing for UH was one of the most exciting times in my life.”
Before becoming a Cougar like his big brother, Bernie remembers listening to the games on the radio on Saturday evenings with his siblings, since they couldn’t afford to attend the games.
“Whatever Bob chose, the rest of us just followed,” says Bernie. “Having Bob as a senior when I was a freshman was like having a father figure at school,” he adds. “And playing for Coach Yeoman was such a tremendous learning experience. My years under him helped me to develop a strong work ethic.”
The Legacy Continues...Greg, Butch, and Steve
“Bob was our leader,” says Greg (’68). “He was our anchor.”
Greg followed his brothers to Houston. During his senior year in high school, Greg was recruited by UH and other colleges. But, he didn’t dare think of attending anywhere but UH, because he didn’t want to face the consequences that his older brothers said would happen if he did.
“I knew all along I would sign with UH—it was part of our family,” Greg says. In 1967, he was co-captain of Yeoman’s team. “He (Yeoman) was one the great coaches in college football. Everywhere I go, sports fans still talk of the veer option he developed,” Greg adds. “Coach was and is a blessing to the Brezina family.” After UH, Greg played twelve years in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons.
“Mom said that Dad loved baseball and wanted his sons to play baseball, but he ended up with
a football team,” says Greg.
Mark “Butch” Brezina (’73) was only four when his father died. He remembers that following his father’s death and the death of baby brother Eligius Michael, aunts and uncles came to his mother offering to split the children among them.
“My mother said: ‘No. God gave me these children and God will keep these children with me,’” Butch says tearfully. “One of the sweetest things in my life is all of us being able to care for my mother. She’s a great woman who sacrificed so much for her children, and I’m so grateful to her.” Five years ago, their mother was given a short time to live, which she has now beaten. Since then, the brothers and their sister provide daily care for their mother, also known lovingly as Mama Brezina.
"I am so thankful to UH for the scholarships and for Coach Yeoman."
–Mama Brezina |
Steve (’74), who didn’t stray from the Cougar football legacy, was the last to follow his brothers.
“I went to UH because everyone else did. That was your life, you were a Cougar—born and bred,” he says. “I’m thankful there were no other options. It was the best one for me.”
Steve admits to having little time on the playing field, which he credits to playing alongside All-America greats like Wilson Whitley. But that didn’t bother him a bit. “It was always a team effort. I wouldn’t have it any other way, because that’s what it means to be a Cougar,” he says. “If you had to sacrifice yourself for the betterment of the team, that’s what you did. And Coach Yeoman expected it, and you didn’t mind following his lead.
Life Doesn’t Get Any Sweeter
Since leaving their alma mater, the “Brezina Men” have continued a life of success. The family, with
some twenty grandchildren and nearly thirty great-grandchildren (of course, mostly boys), is still growing strong.
Right out of UH, Bob was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, under Vince Lombardi, and then he played
a year with the Houston Oilers. In the early ’90s, he was one of the top three candidates for UH athletics director. After not receiving the directorship, Bob went on to serve thirty years as superintendent of schools in East Texas, Victoria, and for the Harris County Department of Education. Today, Bob and his wife own a consulting business, Brezina & Associates; and he volunteers for various organizations, including serving as president of the U.S. Academic Decathlon. Son Robby also played for the Oilers and went on to become a partner for the CPA firm of Hamm, Langston & Brezina.
Gus has worked for Crown Beverage Packing for more than forty years. Bernie is the owner of Brezina Claim Associates, Inc. in Houston. Greg is cofounder and executive director of Christian Families Today in Georgia. Butch is a field office director for HUD in Tennessee. Steve is owner of Texana Insurance Agency in Ganado, Texas.
Their Dad would be proud. |
