Dr. Dave Brazell came to Grand Canyon College in the fall of 1951, serving the school as an administrator, coach, academic department director, and mentor.
The founder and developer of Canyon baseball, Brazell coached the 'Lopes for 28 seasons, compiling a record of 728-385-8 (.649). His teams won eight NAIA district titles, four NAIA Area II titles and one NAIA national title. Brazell's clubs made four appearances at the NAIA College World Series.
Eight times he was voted NAIA District Baseball Coach of the Year, and twice he was selected NAIA National Coach of the Year.
In his nearly 60 years at GCU, Brazell's accomplishments are too many to mention. His accomplishments vary, from having coached the men's basketball team to the only undefeated season in school history (20-0, 1958-59) to winning an NAIA national championship in baseball in 1980. Brazell also guided the men's golf team to an NCAA Div. II national runner-up finish in 2000.
Brazell's No. 20 uniform was retired by GCU, and in 1987, Grand Canyon's baseball field was dedicated and named in his honor.
He is a member of the NAIA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Grand Canyon University Hall of Fame.
