The Colgate community mourns the tragic and untimely loss of a beloved friend and teammate. Brian “Bubbles” Crockett, a 2013 graduate of Colgate, died after complications related to surgery. He was 22 years old.

The news reached the Hamilton, N.Y. campus on March 4 as Associate Head Coach of Football Dan Hunt offered a few words about the loss.

“It is with great sadness that I inform you about the passing of Brian Crockett,” Hunt said in a statement. “Anyone that had come in contact with Brian knows what a great person he was. He was one of the most unique personalities to ever come to Colgate. He was the emotional leader of the 2012 Patriot League Championship team. I know that he has deeply affected me personally in how I live my life.”

Colgate Director of Athletics Victoria M. Chun ’91 MA ’94 echoed Hunt’s remarks, remembering Crockett, known as “Bubbles” by his teammates and friends, for his positive attitude and brilliant soul.

“We lost a very important member of our athletics family,” Chun said in an e-mail. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Crockett family. We will never forget the way Bubbles made us feel, his infectious smile or his indomitable spirit. No. 72 will live on in our hearts forever.”

Most recently, Crockett was working at the Williston Northampton School, a private school in western Mass. where he taught history and global studies and served as an assistant coach to the football, track and wrestling teams. He started teaching at the school in the fall

following his graduation last year from Colgate.

At Northampton, Crockett was embarking on a lifelong dream to make a difference in education. In less than one year of teaching, he became one of the school’s most beloved teachers and colleagues.

“We had goals to coach football together and eventually open up our own private school to offer lower-income students a better alternative to public school,” senior and captain of the football team Austin Dier said. “I have the pleasure of calling him a friend and the world is already missing someone who was going to do great things.”

“He wanted to change the world and leave a positive impact that would last longer than his life time,” close friend and classmate, Jonathan Mputu ’13 remarked. “He loved kids and was a great role model for them … his untimely death has touched so many people and given us all a reminder of how we should live our lives.”

At Colgate, Crockett was an member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and Brothers

Prior to adopting the role of teacher and mentor at the Williston Northampton School, Crockett thrived as a student at Colgate University. In his senior year, Crockett started in each of the Raiders’ 12 games at offensive left guard and contributed immensely to the success of the Patriot League Championship team.

It was easy to recognize his talent and dedication, and he was named to the All-Patriot League first team. He was ranked in the top 10 nationally in nearly every major offensive category and set school records for total offensive yards per game (486.4) and total rushing yards (3,414).

Senior Gavin McCarney, a student-athlete and friend of Crockett, described the impact that his teammate had on everyone he touched.

“Brian will be missed not just for the person he was, but also for what he did for other people. He made an impact in the community and on campus,” McCarney said. “Brian Crockett is exactly what Colgate symbolizes, a respectful, compassionate and hardworking person who loved everyone and never asked for anything in return.”

Funeral arrangements are set for today at Union Baptist Church in Passaic, N.J., Crockett’s hometown.

Contact Emma Barge at [email protected].