The community is mourning the loss of local business owner and wrestling coach Brett Owen, who passed away unexpectedly last week.
Owen impacted countless athletes across our region through his work as an assistant coach at Waverly High School, most recently as the head coach at Horseheads High School and at the United Training Facility in Athens.
He also owned and operated Owen Insurance on Broad Street in Waverly.
Owen is being remembered for his dedication, loyalty and leadership.
A Celebration of his life will be held this Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Waverly High School auditorium. A memorial mass will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Epiphany Church.
Organizers of the Duals on Desmond All-Star Wrestling Showcase shared this post about Coach Owen:
“This week, the wrestling community lost far more than a coach. We lost a mentor, a leader, and one of the true pillars of area wrestling.
Brett Owen impacted countless athletes across our region through his work with United Training Facility, Waverly, Horseheads, the University of Scranton, and beyond. Many wrestlers who have competed — and will continue to compete — in the Duals on Desmond were coached, mentored, or inspired by Brett along the way. His fingerprints are all over this wrestling community.
Brett believed in kids. He believed in hard work, toughness, loyalty, and showing up for people. He pushed athletes to be better not only on the mat, but in life. If you ever spent time around him in a wrestling room, you know the energy, passion, and care he brought every single day.
This year at the Duals on Desmond, we will proudly honor Coach Brett Owen and the incredible legacy he leaves behind.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tiffany, his children, family, friends, athletes, and the entire wrestling community during this difficult time.
“A Father. A Leader. A Legacy.”
Rest easy, Coach. Your impact will live on through generations of wrestlers and people you helped shape.”
For more on Coach Owen’s legacy, check out this column from Brian Fees at Southern Tier Sports Report.
