Bryce Gerlach Memorial Foundation Stronger Together Award

Bryce was one of those rare individuals who had a way of making everyone feel noticed, appreciated, and genuinely cared for. An All-State football player and an All-Conference goalkeeper, he was as gifted athletically as he was academically. But beyond the trophies and grades, Bryce was the kind of friend everyone hoped to have. He was loyal and kind — always the first to stand up for someone who couldn’t do it on their own. He had a way of making everyone feel like they mattered, and it was his heart that made him one of a kind.

On October 12, 2024, Bryce was tragically shot and killed during Harvest Homecoming—an unimaginable loss to his family, friends, and community. Yet even in the face of this tragedy, his spirit endures. Bryce faced life with unshakable strength and courage, even in his most difficult moments. He lived by the words tattooed on his arm: Vertraue auf Gottes Plan (Trust in God’s plan).

The Bryce Gerlach Memorial Foundation was created in his name to honor not only his achievements, but the way he lived with heart, faith, purpose, and love for everyone around him

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRYCE'S STORY

"For the past few years, I have been blessed to play softball for Marshall University where I have teammates and coaches who are more than just a team. We are a family.

On October 12, 2024, my life flipped upside down when my brother, Bryce, was shot and killed in a senseless act of gun violence, just one week before his senior night. There’s no way to prepare for something like that. In the days that followed, I was just trying to make it through each moment, trying to breathe, trying to function, trying to understand how life could keep moving when mine had just fallen apart. Through all of it, my Marshall softball family was there. My coaches, Coach Z and Aly, along with the team, traveled to my hometown of Corydon, Indiana, to be there for Bryce’s funeral. In the weeks and months that followed, they continued to surround me with compassion and love during the darkest season of my life.

I ended up having to redshirt my junior season, which was tough because softball has always been my outlet. But stepping away was what I needed, and my coaches and teammates supported me every step of the way. I was fortunate to be able to travel home frequently to seek comfort with my family; however, I recognize that many athletes and coaches who experience hardships and tragedy do not have this privilege. For many, their team becomes the only family they have nearby, making the support of coaches and teammates even more impactful during times of adversity.

Bryce was in his senior year of high school, and our whole family was so excited to watch him finish out his football season and play college football. He had worked so hard for it, and I couldn’t wait to be in the stands cheering him on. He was the kind of person everyone wanted to be around, the life of the party, the one who could make anyone laugh, and the guy who always put everyone else before himself. He had this energy that just made everything better.

Now, I’m holding onto that same hope for Owen. I can’t wait to watch his senior football season, and I’m so proud of him. He’s worked so hard, and I truly believe he will be playing college football next year. Supporting him through all of this has been one of the things that keeps me going. On Bryce’s senior night — the night he never got to play — Owen took his place on the field wearing Bryce’s number, #12, and kicked in his honor. It was one of the most powerful moments our family has ever experienced. While my story is my own, I know that I am not the only student-athlete who has faced tragedy or adversity. Across the country, countless teams become a source of hope and healing for one another during life’s most difficult moments, just as Marshall did for me. This award is given in loving memory of my brother, Bryce. In his honor, our family founded a nonprofit, The Bryce Gerlach Memorial Foundation, dedicated to giving back to the community and supporting others the way Bryce always did. This award recognizes the powerful impact teammates and coaches can have during times of hardship, celebrating unity, compassion, and the strength shown in moments of tragedy."

Unite on the Field for Safety and Hope:

We invite your program to turn the diamond orange and take a powerful stand for peace, healing, and community. Hosting a "Wear Orange" game is more than just donning a color—it is a meaningful, visible act of solidarity that honors the memory of Bryce Gerlach, supports survivors, and reminds our student-athletes that they are part of a community bigger than softball. Whether your team chooses to wear orange ribbons in their hair, lace up in orange socks, or invite your entire home crowd to an "Orange Out" in the stands, every gesture sends a clear message: love, unity, and hope will always outshine tragedy. We encourage every NFCA program to join us in bringing awareness to gun violence and showing the strength of the softball family when we stand together.