Ryan ChartrandA gentle breeze blew across the field and strains of classical music filled the warm air as members of the Cal Poly community gathered at the track yesterday to honor the life of Morrey Brown.
The approximate 100 attendees included Brown’s family and roommates, athletes from the track and field team, and his Week of Welcome group.
Standing in a semicircle, the group faced floral arrangements and a picture of Brown resting on an easel.
Five pairs of his running shoes were displayed to signify his passion for the sport.
Track and field director Terry Crawford said that Brown left a legacy in his brief time as a Mustang.
“We make a commitment as a track team to carry his spirit forward this season,” Crawford said.
Of the individuals that shared memories and anecdotes about Brown, all remembered him as having an upbeat attitude about life and a warm personality.
Alivia Brewer, a freshman on the track and field team, said that she loved seeing Brown at practice and around campus.
“He smiled all the time. He smiled every time he was out here,” Brewer said. “His smile would light up your whole day.”
Sara Klein, another freshman from the team, reminisced about exploring San Luis Obispo with Brown and a trip to Bali’s when they first arrived, since both hailed from Washington.
Kinesiology professor Camille O’Bryant said she was privileged to meet Brown and that she had gained an even greater understanding of who he was by spending time with his parents.
“My brief encounter with Morrey was infectious. We were privileged to have him as part of our family even for a short while,” O’Bryant said.
Brown planned to study kinesiology and wanted to work in sports medicine after college.
He was the top sprinter at Kentridge High School in Renton, Wash. and was prepared for the track and field season after competing in three decathlons over the summer.
His parents, Jonathon and Cynthia Brown, were presented with track jackets by the team.
His father closed the service by reminding the group that his son loved to laugh and loved to make others laugh too.
“He had a great sense of humor. He was so funny, and kept us laughing,” Jonathon Brown said.
The memorial service was followed by a 2 p.m. burial at San Luis Cemetery.
Brown died on Sept. 20 around 6:30 p.m. His roommates Kristoph Becker and Trevor Dardik found him at the bottom of the Los Verdes Park housing development pool.
Steve Crawford, deputy coroner at the San Luis Obispo County Coroner’s office, said that Brown’s body was released to his family.
Crawford said the office is leaving autopsy results pending at this time and that results will be released in four to six weeks.