Darren and Faith Brown are the 2024 recipients of the Notre Dame Booster Club’s Bob Miller Award. This award, named after Bob Miller, a 1952 graduate and founding member of the Notre Dame Booster Club, recognizes the continuous and meritorious service that upholds the name and tradition of the Notre Dame athletic program and Notre Dame Regional High School.
The Browns, who live in Sikeston, have had two children graduate from Notre Dame. Noah is a 2018 graduate, and Laynie graduated in May.
“Faith and Darren have been supporters of ND athletics since the first day their son Noah came to school here,” said Notre Dame Athletic Director Jeff Graviett. “Faith even continued to volunteer for the Booster Club during the gap time between her two kids. You could always count on Faith and Darren to help out with any fundraising event you had going on, but they took a lead in both our Bowldog Bash and golf tournaments. They brought a great work ethic and a great perspective of being a southern parent to our Booster Club. I couldn’t think of two more deserving people to receive this award.”
When the Browns came to Notre Dame, they planned on spending time volunteering at the school.
“When we made the decision for a private school education we knew and understood the commitment went further than paying tuition,” said Faith. “Our kids were both involved in sports so Booster Club was an area we decided to focus our attention. In order for a private school sports program to be successful and competitive; it takes a huge amount of money, time and commitment. We wanted to do our part to help with that mission.”
The Browns did just that by volunteering for concessions, gate, golf tournaments, Bulldog Madness and Bowldog Dash, and running music and scorekeeping for baseball.
Faith also volunteered outside of the Booster Club in many capacities. She was a “counting mom” during Activity Week, co-chair for Activity Week silent auction, worked with the Home & School Association on donut days, senior banquet and uniform resales. She has substitute taught at the high school, and was also part of the school’s strategic plan working with the enrollment domain.
Impact of Sports
Sports have been a key component of the Brown family makeup.
Noah played basketball and baseball, while Laynie played volleyball, soccer, swim and track throughout her time at Notre Dame.
“Since my oldest was in kindergarten until the spring season of senior year for my youngest, sports have been a huge part of our lives,” said Faith. “They both played little league, club and school sports. Not only is this a financial commitment but a huge time commitment as well. As trying as it was sometimes, I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. Sports is a wonderful way for children to learn to positively interact with others, putting a team before themself, learning time management and prioritization, build problem solving skills, learn respect, commitment and follow through, just to name a few. We were often traveling for sports but that also meant time together as a family. We feel sports has been an integral part of our children growing to become mature responsible adults.”
The Browns will be recognized on August 10 at Notre Dame’s Queen of Victory Evening of Excellence event.