John Brownell may not be on the Chico State baseball team’s official roster, but he’s a tremendous part of the team. He’s also the Wildcat of the Week.
Fans who come out to cheer on the Wildcats every weekend recognize Brownell as the team’s biggest fan. From his perch near the bottom of section 201 he keeps one eye on the dugout and the other on the field. And, win or lose, Brownell never passes up an opportunity to share a word of encouragement to every Wildcats player and fan he encounters.
“When I got the news about the season ending, one of the first thoughts that ran through my mind was how Johnny was going to take this news,” Chico State pitcher Grant Larson said. “I was just as sad for him as I was for all of us.”
What fans likely don’t know is that Brownell isn’t only a weekend regular at The Nett. He also attends practices and has become a part of the players’ daily lives. His shelter in place playlist is made up of the Wildcats’ Nettleton Stadium walk-up songs.
“I remember seeing him at practices years ago during my freshman year, seeing all the returners chatting with him and wondering who he was,” Larson said. “His attitude rubs off on us. He’s got a big smile and he’s always super happy to be there. It has helped me not to take coming out to the field every day for granted.”
Brownell’s contributions to the program don’t end with his attitude and words of encouragement, however. He’s always willing to pitch in wherever he can. He keeps an eye on the time to let guys know when it’s time to head to class. And Taylor recently reached out to Brownell to ask for his blessing on a couple of new recruits.
“He gave us the thumbs up,” Taylor said.
To understand how important Brownell has been to the Wildcats, one need only think back to May of 2017 when the players all chipped in to purchase a flight for him to attend the NCAA Championship West Regional.
It was an easy decision, according to catcher Tyler Stofiel.
“We wanted him to know, without a doubt, how important he is to our team,” Stofiel said. “Johnny is a huge positive force for this program and the consistency of his positive attitude is unmatched. It was a way to show our gratitude for the dedication he’s displayed to us every year.
“Whether you have a good day or a bad one, Johnny’s smile and attitude put life into perspective and make you appreciate the opportunity to be out there. His ability to keep the guys positive through times of struggle is one of the many intangibles that has contributed to the success of this team and make him a truly special part of my experience at Chico State. I know the other guys feel the same way.”
