By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/27/19
The Philly lacrosse community is mourning the passing of legendary Boyertown girls’ lacrosse coach Marcia A. “Coach” Brumbach, 70.
Marcia passed away peacefully on Thursday.
Marcia led Boyertown to four District 1 championships (there were no state playoffs until 2009) in 21 years (1974-94), compiling a record of 245-67-12, winning 11 league championships, while coaching over 20 All-Americans.
She has been inducted into the Eastern PA Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Ches-Mont League Hall of Fame, and the Tri-County Chapter of the PA Hall of Fame.
Marcia’s Bears posted a state-record 56 straight wins from 1993-95 and she also coached the U.S. and Japan in International competition.
Seven times during her coaching tenure at Boyertown, Marcia was recognized as the Pennsylvania Girls High School Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
She was named to the Concord College (W.V.) Hall of Fame in 2001, having participated in field hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball, track and field and swimming – but not lacrosse. She also was an accomplished basketball coach who developed successful defensive schemes for lacrosse from the basketball court. She even was head women’s basketball coach at West Chester for four years in the 1980s.
Seven times during her coaching tenure at Boyertown, Brumbach was recognized as the Pennsylvania Girls High School Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
Brumbach was named to the Concord College (W.V.) Hall of Fame in 2001, having participated in field hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball, track and field and swimming – but not lacrosse. She also was an accomplished basketball coach who developed successful defensive schemes for lacrosse from the basketball court.
Born December 22, 1948, in Pottstown, she was the daughter of the late Forrest and Jean (Hissey) Brumbach. Marcia was a 1966 graduate from Boyertown High School where she was an outstanding athlete.
She graduated from Concord College in West Virginia in 1971, where she was a standout athlete in multiple sports including field hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball, track and field and swimming. She was named to the Concord College Hall of Fame in 2001.
Marcia was a dedicated teacher and coach for over 30 years. She began her teaching career in York, PA. She then taught throughout the Boyertown School District while also coaching lacrosse, field hockey, and basketball.
Other than her passion for sports and coaching, she also enjoyed traveling the world. Marcia is survived by her siblings Dale Brumbach, Wendy Brumbach, wife of Jim Craven, and Kevin Brumbach, husband of Dawn; nieces & nephews Alice, Maureen, Christina, Trisha, Matt, and Jaret; great nieces & nephews Maude, Eiler, Emaline, Stella, Oliver, Grady, and Lilah (due October 2019).
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 1 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (45 N Reading Ave, Boyertown, PA 19512) with Rev. Machamer officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Boyertown.
An evening visitation will be held on Monday, September 30, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Catagnus Funeral Home (1020 E. Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville, PA 19525). Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 from 9:00-10:45 AM at St. John’s Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a future donation toward a scholarship fund, which will be established in Marcia’s memory. Catagnus Funeral Home (Gilbertsville) is in charge of arrangements.
