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2018 Brad Bigler SHS Speech

On Thursday, March 3rd, 2018, Brad Bigler spoke to all 1,200 Sartell High School students. Brad is the Head Coach of the Men's Basketball team at Southwest Minnesota State University, and he has been featured on the popular ESPN show, E:60. 

 

Brad Bigler has faced multiple tragedies in his life. First, he was kayaking with his mom and others when their kayaks were overturned by rapids. Brad's mother, Diane Bigler-Hagenow, was trapped underneath a tree downstream, and Brad tried valiantly to pull his mom free. Unfortunately, she couldn't be saved. 

 

Thirteen months later, Brad, his wife, Heather, their 5-month-old son, Drake, and Heather's grandmother, Sharon, were all driving home from a family wedding when their SUV was hit by a drunk driver. Both Brad and Sharon received critical injuries, and devastatingly, the Bigler's youngest son, Drake, did not survive the accident.

While at SHS, Brad shared his emotional story with the students, along with the lessons he learned, and most importantly, the importance of common-sense decision-making. 

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To learn more about Brad and his story, his E:60 episode, titled "The Long Road Home" can be found here.

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