An Announcement from Matt Gossage and Andrew Bryan

General

Athletics

03/03/2022

One of the true joys I've experienced upon returning to Westminster has been the fulfillment coming from working with the members of the Leadership Team. They are selfless, and they understand the concept of team. I believe the Leadership Team would agree that Andrew Bryan serves humbly as a leader within the team. I have benefitted personally from his wise counsel as we have worked together to envision a stronger Westminster. During one of our conversations, Andrew confided that he was seeking God's will in terms of where he should serve, lead, and grow. During our meeting this Monday, Andrew shared with me that he had decided to leave Westminster at the end of this school year for a different and exciting opportunity.

You know better than I what Andrew has meant to the students, coaches, parents, and friends of our school. God has used him to touch people deeply and to build programs characterized by integrity. There will be ample time this spring to acknowlege Andrew's contributions to this school and to thank him for his tireless efforts to teach life lessons through competition. I write this note as a preface to Andrew Bryan's message below to our school community regarding his decision.

Sincerely, 

Matt Gossage

Dear Westminster Family,

I’d like to thank Dr. Mike Hearon, the board of trustees, and the Westminster administration for allowing me to be the athletic director at Westminster the past 11 years. I’d also like to thank Rhonda Barinowski and her dedicated service to the Athletic Department for many years. It's been a pleasure to work with a strong Leadership Team, faculty, and staff, and I have truly appreciated the opportunity to coach the varsity football team. I have been blessed with a solid coaching staff and it has been an honor to work, serve, and coach alongside you each day. I will miss all of our coaches and pray that you guide our student-athletes well and continue to live the Wildcat Way.

To our student-athletes, past and present: I hope that your time as a Wildcat and your experience with Westminster athletics has been one you will cherish for years to come. I pray that the relationships we formed on and off the field, the bus rides, the trips, and the pre- and post-game talks will last a lifetime. We won games, set records, had tough practices, became champions, and had plenty of fun, but I hope that you know that I have always cared more about who you BECOME rather than what you ACHIEVE. I will miss you for sure and pray that you compete hard daily and keep your focus on Jesus.

To the Westminster community, boosters, and parents: Thank you for your support over the many years. Thank you for the blood, sweat, and tears you have put into making the athletic experience great for our kids. Thank you for buying into our mission statement, which reminds us to honor Christ first and to compete with character and integrity as we pursue excellence in all aspects of sports and life. Thank you for your help with our capital improvements; the athletic facilities have changed a great deal these past 11 years and it’s largely because of your generosity, your time, and your commitment to making things better. I am proud to have worked alongside you and I’m grateful for your support of both me personally and our program.

To our coaches: Thank you for pouring into the hearts and lives of our student-athletes. Thank you for being mentors as well as coaches. Thank you for going the extra mile when you know it may, or may not, be appreciated in the immediate. Thank you for loving our kids and teaching them about Christ through your sport. Championships are great, but they pale in comparison to the positive influence and impact you have had on our community and our student-athletes. I am so grateful to have worked with such a great group of men and women.

Lastly, I want to thank my wife, Heather, and my two girls, Sarah Beth (Class of 2022) and Lilly (Class of 2024), for their love and support over the years - whether I was working long hours on a ball field or in a gymnasium or serving the past 20+ years as a part-time pastor on the staff of local churches. With all of that said, I’d like to share with you that the Lord is moving me on to a new chapter in my life. Although there are many things I will miss about Westminster and my time here, I am excited to continue in ministry as the Executive Pastor at Warren Grovetown Church. Thanks for your continued prayers as I take this next step, and please know that I will be in prayer for you and our school. I am confident in our leadership and that the best days are yet to come.

Sincerely,

Andrew Bryan