BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University football family lost a former distinguished player and great friend earlier this month with the tragic passing of Bryant Wade.

Wade came to Husson University by way of Lawrence High School and Fairfield, Maine, before attending Husson from 2012 to 2016, earning a bachelor's degree in sport and fitness administration/management. Doubling as a student-athlete, Wade played four seasons for the Husson football team, where he helped lead the Eagles to two Eastern Collegiate Football Conference Championships in 2014 and 2015, along with his individual accomplishments.

In his senior season at Husson, Wade was named the ECFC Defensive Player of the Year and the first Cliff Harris Award Finalist in the program's history. Wade finished his four-year varsity career at Husson with 186 tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight pass deflections, five forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. Beyond the stats however, Wade carried himself with great character and determination.

"Bryant Wade was an extremely valuable member of our football program from 2012-2015," said head football coach Nat Clark." He was a standout player on the field earning all-conference recognition and player of the year honors. However, Bryant was much more than that, he was a great teammate and a kind and extremely loyal person. Bryant attacked everything in his life with heart, energy and a relentless spirit.  Bryant's family and friends will be in our thoughts as we cherish the memories of Bryant, someone whom we all loved."

After his life at Husson, Wade continued his passion for football and serving others by pursuing his passion of sport management. In 2017, Wade became a player-coach in Germany for the Pforzheim Wilddogs, before returning back to Maine where he served the younger generation of the area's student-athletes as a certified personal trainer and recreation supervisor.

"Bryant was a tremendous player, teammate and competitor," said football assistant coach Rick Orio – a former Husson football three-time captain and teammate. "His infectious energy and passion was an inspiration to so many! Bryant was a great friend and talented in so many ways, on and off the field. Bryant will be dearly missed, but his memory and inspiration will live on forever through the many lives he touched. Bryant was taken far too soon, but his story will forever be told by those that loved him. Thank you, Bryant! Until we all get to see you again, I love you and thank you more than words could ever say."

On the walls of the Husson football locker room, it says 'Those Who Stay Will Be Champions'. Bryant Wade was the perfect exemplification of those words and its true meaning, as he left behind a footprint of hard work and love for all of us to carry on.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Bryant's family and friends, in the aftermath of his tragic passing. His legacy will be one that we never forget, as we strive to live up to the standard that Bryant set.