Nine-Year NFL Veteran Returns to Williams

By Dick QuinnWilliams Sports Info
Print Story | Email Story
Ethan Brooks, Ephs assistant strength and conditioning coach
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — One of the finest all-around athletes to wear Williams College purple is returning to the Berkshires to be the Ephs' assistant strength and conditioning coach. Ethan Brooks made quite a name for himself on the Williams campus in earning All-America honors nine times between starring in football and indoor and outdoor track & field. He was named the male Purple Key winner at Williams in 1996 as the school’s top graduating athlete.

"We’re happy to have Ethan onboard and back at Williams College," stated Williams Athletic Director Lisa Melendy. "The Brooks family has a distinguished history at Williams, and we are pleased that Ethan was able to come back and  work in the Athletic Department."

Ethan’s sister, Rebecca (class of 2000), was an All-American in soccer, basketball and outdoor track and field, while his older brother Fletcher currently is the head coach of the Ephs men’s and women’s track and field teams.

On his last throw of the 35-pound weight at the 1996 NCAA Indoor Championships, Brooks broke the NCAA Division III record with a heave of 63’ 8 ¾” and later that spring he won the NCAA hammer throw (194’ 2”).


Courtesy photo
Ethan Brooks pressures Trinity QB in 1995.
A defensive lineman for the Ephs, Brooks was drafted in the seventh round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, and converted to an offensive lineman. Brooks played nine years in the NFL with five teams: Atlanta Falcons (1996), St. Louis Rams (1997-99), Arizona Cardinals (2000, where he was a teammate of Eph QB Sean Keenan ’00), Baltimore Ravens (2002-04) and the Dallas Cowboys (2005).


While with the Baltimore Ravens Brooks received an extended personal profile in John Feinstein’s book, "Next Man Up," about the 2004 season. In 2004 in a win over the Cleveland Browns the Ravens coaching staff gave Brooks the game ball for his efforts up front on the offensive line.

Brooks compiled a successful student-athlete/professional athlete career and has coupled it with hands-on experience with some of the most respected coaches in the world of football and strength and conditioning. Devoted to the craft of improving athletic performance and longevity, through various modalities, Brooks has earned certification in strength and conditioning and is continuing his ongoing education in the field.

Brooks earned a B.A. in psychology at Williams and later earned certifications as a Level I and II strength coach (Poliquin International Certification Program, 2010), and is certified in standard first aid and CPR.

Brooks currently resides in Williamstown.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

St. Stan's Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Williamstown Commons

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Students from St. Stanislaus Kostka School  in Adams brought the holiday spirit to Williamstown Commons on Thursday, delivering handmade Christmas cards and leading residents in a community caroling session.
 
"It honestly means the world to us because it means the world to them," said nursing home Administrator Alex Fox on Thursday morning. "This made their days. This could have even made their weeks. It could have made their Christmas, seeing the children and interacting with the community."
 
Teacher Kate Mendonca said this is the first year her class has visited the facility, noting that the initiative was driven entirely by the students.
 
"This came from the kids. They said they wanted to create something and give back," Mendonca said. "We want our students involved in the community instead of just reading from a religion book."
 
Preparation for the event began in early December, with students crafting bells to accompany their singing. The handmade cards were completed last week.
 
"It's important for them to know that it's not just about them during Christmas," Mendonca said. "It's about everyone, for sure. I hope that they know they really helped a lot of people today and hopefully it brought joy to the residents here."
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories