Shannon Brand has announced her retirement as Griffith High School’s cross-country coach.

“It was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Brand said. She decided to retire after 18 years of coaching to focus on her family and personal life.

Brand graduated from Griffith High School in 2003. After graduating from Purdue University with a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in consumer and family sciences education, she decided to return to teach at Griffith. During high school, she was on the cross-country team. Her coach was one of the main reasons she decided to become a coach.

“He always made sure we interacted with each other as a family instead of us just being teammates.” That was one of her main goals when coaching cross-country. She wanted people to feel like family.

Brand would take the team to the Indiana Dunes for team bonding, which was one of her favorite memories. She enjoyed watching the kids be off their electronics and spend time getting to know each other.

“One of my favorite memories [was] a few days before regionals and it was just a few of us practicing. It was just a good feeling getting to talk to her after our run and spending the last few days with her,” said sophomore Austin Homans.

“She has greatly improved me as a runner and as a person,” said senior Mason Taylor.

The team was saddened when she announced her retirement and they’re sad to see her go but enjoyed the time they got to spend with her as their coach. They’re excited to welcome Kristina Taylor as their new coach.