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Anthony Wayne's Brungard sticks with tradition, camps out on the field after win over Perrysburg

A tradition he started when he was hired in 2016, Andy Brungard set up a tent at Schaller Stadium and camped out for the night after beating the Yellow Jackets.

WHITEHOUSE, Ohio — When Anthony Wayne football knocked off Perrysburg last week in football, the celebration was enormous.

But it didn't stop there, at least for the head coach of the Generals.

"I think a lot of the kids think I'm crazy," said Andy Brungard, head coach of the Anthony Wayne football team. "They don't think I'm actually going to do it."

Friday night, Brungard and his team celebrated a share of the Northern Lakes League Buckeye Division title. But instead of going home after the win, he found himself inside Schaller Stadium.

"Every year gets a little bit different. This year I brought out the space heater and I think this is the first year I have a pillow," said Brungard. "I don't like to think arrogantly enough to set my tent up ahead of time. It's kind of a last-minute thing where I run home and get everything gathered and come back out."

Brungard, who is a Perrysburg High School graduate, chose to add a unique element to the growing rivalry between the Generals and Yellow Jackets when he was hired in 2016.

"My family lived in Perrysburg, so I made a deal with the players that if they won, I'd sleep in their area code for the night," said Brungard.

In his first season in Whitehouse, the Generals won the rivalry matchup, 24-7.

Although heavy rain nearly turned him away from setting up the tent, Brungard said his wife encouraged him to follow through with the plan. 

"She basically said, 'You're going to stick to your word,' locked the house and left the tent for me outside."

Since then, every time Anthony Wayne defeats Perrysburg, Brungard rests on the football field at the high school.

Credit: WTOL 11

"There's always second thoughts. I got really freaked out the first year," said Brungard. "I've had players visit me, I've had cops come out. There's always something. I've had to run inside because of rain."

It may not be the most comfortable of traditions to uphold, but the impact it's created amongst his players continues to be rewarding for Brungard.

"I've learned that I like to torture myself because I feel like I don't get any sleep when I'm out here for a night," said Brungard. "It's worth it and it's fun. I know the kids love the motivation of making me sleep on the field."

   

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