Adding Value

Written by Terri Cox. Posted on April 4, 2025 in Sports & Entertainment

There is something magical about a baseball game on a warm spring night, the kind that stretches into the heat of a Texas summer. The crack of the bat followed by the whoosh of a fastball and then the unmistakable pop as it meets the catcher’s mitt. You hear players chatting from the dugout, umpires calling balls and strikes, and the crowd rises and falls with every play—cheering for a home run, groaning at a close call, and then erupting in joy when their team gets ahead.

These sounds are becoming more and more familiar at Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT), a sign of a growing baseball program led by a coach whose roots in Texarkana run deep. Chase Brewster, the Eagles’ head baseball coach, does not just bring a wealth of experience—he brings a passion for the game and a commitment to building something special. “I believe when someone asks me about my background, I think it screams Texarkana,” Brewster says. “This is home. This is where I fell in love with baseball, and now I get to help shape the future of it here.”

Brewster’s journey to the head coaching position at TAMUT is a story of his deep ties to the city and his lifelong dedication to the sport. A graduate of Texas High School in 2007, Texarkana College in 2009, and TAMUT in 2011, Brewster’s name is deeply connected to the local baseball community. His career has taken him from high school dugouts to nationally ranked travel ball programs, yet no matter where he has gone, Texarkana has always been his home.

“I was fortunate enough that my dad enrolled me in TISD when I was younger,” Brewster says. “None of this would be possible without him giving me the guidance and the opportunity to be successful. He always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.” Brewster’s father, Dave Brewster, passed away last year from lung cancer, but his influence remains a driving force in his son’s coaching career. Brewster spent three years on the Texas High baseball team and is thankful for Glenn Welch, Scott Mennie, John McClure, and especially Barry Norton. “There truly is no story to tell without these guys,” he said. “They invested in a 15-year-old kid who had no clue about life, and I have tried to make them proud ever since.”

After years of coaching at various levels, Brewster became the owner and President of Sticks Baseball, a powerhouse summer travel baseball program that has produced over 550 college baseball commitments, 56 MLB draft picks, and five major league players—including local standout Jaden Hill of the Colorado Rockies. The program became known as the White Sox Scout team and gave Brewster the opportunity to help young athletes take the next steps in their careers.

But the call to return to the college game and Texarkana was too strong to ignore. “Our biggest goal at TAMUT is just to give people a reason to come to school here,” Brewster explains. “We have a great academic situation, a beautiful campus, and phenomenal degree programs. We have some of the best facilities in the state that are being built on campus, and we are currently off to the best start in school history. We just have to keep it going.”

Taking over a college baseball program is never easy, but Brewster has embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. From day one, he made it clear TAMUT baseball would be built on a foundation of hard work, high expectations, and a relentless drive to win. These results are already evident. Under his leadership, the Eagles are experiencing unprecedented success on the field. They had their first win, with Brewster as the head coach, against Evangel in the opening game this season. They have a roster that features a growing number of local players staying home to represent their city. “The success we have had with getting local players to commit to playing baseball for TAMUT has got to be the biggest accomplishment so far,” Brewster said. “It has truly been awesome.”

For Brewster, coaching is not just about baseball at TAMUT—it is about being part of a supportive and driven athletic community. “My favorite thing about being a coach at TAMUT, without a doubt, is the office atmosphere with the other head coaches,” he says. “There are so many great coaches inside our offices who have been mentors to me, especially Corey Hitchcock and Darion Brown. It has made my job easier by working with them.” Brewster also credits the university’s leadership for fostering an environment where success is possible. “I have the best two bosses that I could ever ask for in Athletic Director Ryan Wall and President, Dr. Ross Alexander. I know that we all care about making TAMUT a dream destination, and every day is a step in the right direction.”

Brewster also gets support from his beautiful wife, Alisha, another Texarkana native. “She has been a huge support system for me, both professionally and personally. Being a head coach would be impossible without her being there for me,” Brewster says. The couple has two dogs, Shih Tzus Drake and Cooper, and in Brewster’s own words, “They get everything they ask for.”

Players have quickly bought into Brewster’s vision. Joey Spence, a transfer from Notre Dame, speaks highly of the culture being built at TAMUT. “Coach Brewster gave me an amazing opportunity to play for a program that wants to win. I’m excited to be a part of the growing culture here and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Eagles.”

Austin Kerns, another transfer player, echoes the same sentiment. “Coach Brewster is a coach that makes you want to get out there every day and work hard. From the day I met him, he made it clear what his goal was—to win in any way possible. I will say he has done a great job of embedding that into the guys.”

Brewster’s recruiting expertise is one of his biggest strengths. Having spent years evaluating talent for travel ball programs, he understands the complexities of assembling a competitive team. But talent alone is not enough. It has to be the right fit. “I think we would all be lying if we said it didn’t start with talent,” Brewster relays. “Being talented, big, and strong definitely helps start the recruiting process. But it has to be a fit for both sides. If we do not need a catcher, it does not matter how talented the player is. It’s just not the right fit.”

Beyond talent, Brewster looks for players who align academically, financially, and mentally with the demands of college baseball. He believes in a holistic approach, making sure that both players and their families are fully on board with the journey. “The recruiting board is a huge puzzle,” he explains. “If one piece doesn’t fit, then there are problems with the complete picture.”

With a new athletic complex on the horizon, projected to be complete by next season, Brewster believes the best is yet to come for TAMUT baseball. The on-campus field will not only provide a home for the team but also bring the university community closer to the program. “I think the biggest effect it will have on our program is that students and faculty will know exactly when we are playing,” Brewster says. “It will be so awesome when students can walk right out of class and over to the field to watch us play. We want to build something that everyone is proud of, and the easiest way to do that is to let them see what we are doing up close.”

When asked about the challenges of the job, Brewster remains optimistic. “I do not feel like there are any challenges. I get to go to work at my dream job, and I get to be a part of something bigger than myself every day. I’m a very glass-half-full kind of guy.”

Beyond wins and losses, Brewster measures his success by the impact he has on his players’ lives. He takes pride in seeing former players build careers, start their families, and remain connected to the program. “I am getting older, and I’m starting to get invited to former players’ weddings, watching them start families. Getting to write a reference letter for someone who played for me years ago is the most rewarding thing ever.”

That sense of mentorship is clear in his coaching staff as well. Brewster’s first hire as a college coach was hitting coach Wade Elliot, a former Sticks player who went on to play at the University of Missouri and Louisiana Tech before joining the Miami Marlins organization. “It is so awesome to get to hire a former player as my first hire as a college coach,” he said.

Brewster’s favorite scripture is Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much is required.” “I wear a bracelet with that verse to remind myself every day that I asked to be in this position. Some days are going to be harder than others, but I have dreamed about being a college head coach my entire life.”

Brewster’s coaching philosophy can be summed up in one phrase—“Add value.”

“Organically, we talk about ‘adding value’ in our program, and that goes for players, coaches, and really anyone involved. That’s my favorite motto right now. I just want to add value any way I can to the university, the team, and the community.”

As Chase Brewster continues to shape the TAMUT baseball program, his impact goes way beyond the diamond. The crack of the bat, the pop of the mitt, and the cheers from the stands are not just sounds of the game—they are echoes of the culture he is building. He is both a leader and a mentor. With his vision, the Eagles are not just building a winning team—they are fostering a legacy that will resonate in Texarkana baseball for years to come.