Lloyd Brazil

Francis Lloyd Brazil (April 24, 1906 – April 3, 1965) was an American athlete, coach and athletic director at the University of Detroit for 38 years. He played halfback for the University of Detroit football team from 1927 to 1929 and was selected as an All-American in 1928 and 1929. After graduating, he remained at the University of Detroit and spent his entire professional career there. He served as the head coach of the baseball and basketball teams, assistant coach of the football team, and director of athletics. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1961 and the University of Detroit Titans Hall of Fame in 1977.

Biography

Early years Brazil was a native of Bay City, Michigan, where his father once was a coal miner. He was a star athlete at Flint Central High School where he won ten varsity letters – four in football and three each in basketball and baseball. In two of his seasons at Flint Central, the school won the state football title, and "Brazil's stellar work played a major part in his team's successes."

Football player After graduating from Flint Central in 1925, Brazil enrolled at the University of Detroit where Notre Dame's All-American quarterback Gus Dorais had taken over as head football coach. In the two years prior to Brazil's joining the team, Dorais' football teams at Detroit had compiled disappointing records of 5–4–0 (1925) and 3–6–0 (1926). Brazil joined the team in 1927, and Brazil led the team to a three-year record of 23–3–1 outscoring opponents 676 to 126. He also led the 1928 Detroit team to a perfect 9–0 record, outscoring opponents 267 to 27. Brazil was also regarded as a fine passer, an outstanding defensive player, and "a vicious tackler and blocker."

In the 1940s, veteran Detroit sports columnist Watson Spoelstra wrote, "Brazil is one of the super athletes with a place among the best in Michigan history." and the University of Detroit Titans Hall of Fame in 1977.

Coach and athletic administrator After graduating in 1930, Brazil declined an offer to play professional baseball and instead accepted a position as Dorais’ assistant at the University of Detroit. Brazil remained at the school until his death in 1965. Over the next 35 years, Brazil served in many capacities as athletic director, business manager of athletics, head baseball coach, head basketball coach, backfield coach to the football team, and chairman of the Athletic Board of Control. He also served for a time as the president of the Missouri Valley Conference. In the 1950s, his Titan baseball teams drew national attention. In April 1960, Brazil decided to start the baseball season as scheduled despite "Decemberish weather" with snow "falling in mushy blobs."

Death and family In March 1965, Brazil was seriously injured while driving his automobile on a street near the University of Detroit. The vehicle skidded in a pile of snow and hit a tree. Brazil was thrown into the dashboard and suffered fractured ribs, facial and other injuries. Brazil was reported to be in good condition, but his condition deteriorated the following week. Brazil died days before he was to have started his 20th year as the school's head baseball coach.