BRAINERD — Another Hall of Fame coach won’t be returning to the tennis courts.

Brainerd boys’ tennis head coach Ellen Fussy retired from her position. Former Warrior Garrett Goeden will handle the head coaching responsibilities this spring.

“I didn’t know I was going to retire from coaching until probably this fall,” Fussy said. “I started to think about things and when I knew there was someone who might be available, who could do a good job that made me feel comfortable with the decision.”

Fussy spent five years as the Warriors boys’ tennis head coach. Prior to that, she spent four seasons as Brainerd’s girls’ tennis coach from 2009 to 2012. Her first year as a girls’ head coach, she led the Warriors to a state tournament appearance. The girls’ program reached state three times under Fussy.

“The first memories when you look back are the athletes,” Fussy said. “You get to watch young kids grow and mature and try to create a positive environment for them to enjoy. A huge memory for me is when the girls went to state for the first time in history and I still remember the moment we won and getting over that hump to make it to state. As far as practices and matches, it’s about the energy the kids bring in a positive environment and they know they are making lifelong memories like I did 100 years ago when I was a Brainerd athlete.”

Fussy went to watch the Brainerd girls’ tennis team this fall when it returned to state and saw many of her former players there.

“That was fun to see the tradition and former Warriors still following their team,” she said.

As far as mentors go, Fussy mentioned Bud Schmidt, Bruce Thompson, as well as Chuck and Marine Whalen

“I grew up in the Bud Schmidt era,” she said. “He was a phenomenal coach in tennis and swimming. I played for him and never got to coach with him. I owe a lot of gratitude to Chuck and Marine Whalen as they were both really good tennis coaches. Chuck was a good hockey coach and they both inspired me a lot and guided me as a younger coach. I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve spent with my assistant Dan Egen. I really feel grateful to be a former Warrior athlete into a Warrior coach. Now it’s harder for me to say what I am now and that’s a former Warrior coach. You never think your tenure is going to end and I’m grateful I got to choose when it was going to end, but I hope I can continue to give back.”

The spring of 2023 not only marked the last coaching season for Fussy, it’s also when she became a Brainerd Warrior Athletic Hall of Famer.

“Finding the words for what that means is hard,” Fussy said. “When you are coaching and doing something that you love and get a lot of enjoyment out of — when you get recongized for it — it’s very humbling. I know a lot of the people that are hung on that wall and to be one of them is a little bit surreal.”

Fussy took over for Thompson, who retired as head coach after the 2018 season. Thompson could still be seen on the Brainerd High School tennis court during matches for both the boys and girls teams after his retirement. The same might be said for Fussy.

“I know that I still have a lot more to give,” Fussy said. “Whether it be in a younger age group or just going and volunteering like Bruce Thompson did.”

As a female coaching a boys’ team, Fussy really enjoyed the energy the boys’ team brought her everyday.

“I found a really good niche coaching the boys,” Fussy said. “I had five brothers, so I was always the person to even up the teams three on three. I knew my way of working around guys. The thing about the boys is they would fool around and get off task sometimes, but we would strike a really good balance of when it was time to work. They knew that I cared for them not as just my tennis players, but as people too. It brings a smile to my face when I think of all the young men I was able to coach.”

Brainerd activities director Jack Freeman called Fussy a master at connecting with the kids she coaches.

“I say that from the standpoint as one of her students, a fellow teacher and coach, and AD,” Freeman said. “She had an undeniable love for kids and the Warriors. Nobody bleeds Blue like Ellen. It was a privilege to watch coach Fussy pour her heart and soul into our kids and community for decades. As she enters this next chapter in her life, she can do so with so much to be proud of. The impact she has made in countless kids’ lives is immeasurable. I’m beyond grateful for everything she has done for me and our community. It’s comforting to know she is a phone call away and her love and care for the Warriors will never fade away.”

CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.