This week is Homecoming for the Towson University family. It is always one of the most important weeks of the year. It is a chance for alums to come back and reconnect not only with former classmates, but also with the campus. For those of us who graduated in the early 80s, coming back and seeing what the campus looks like now compared to 35 years ago is a shock to the system.

We are fortunate that we have such a beautiful environment at Towson.

But homecoming can bring back some sad memories also. In August of 2017, Brian O'Neal, who was a running back for Towson in the early 80s passed away. I have thought about Brian every Homecoming since because Homecoming 2015 was the last time I saw him. He came up to the radio booth to do a halftime interview.

I wrote a blog about Brian right after his death that never ran. Here it is.
 
The Towson University football family lost one of its best this past weekend. Former Tiger running back Brian O'Neal passed away on Aug. 27, 2017 at the age of 55. Brian played for the Tigers from 1981-1984. On the field Brian is the 20^th all-time leading rusher with 1,116 yards. In 1983, Brian led the Tigers with seven touchdowns.

But on the field doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things. Brian O'Neal was as good and kind of a human being as you would ever meet. I met Brian when he was a freshman at Towson. We shared a love of sports. Of all the football players I have met through my years at the University, I don't think I have ever seen one who was as beloved by his teammates as Brian was.

He came to Towson from Marlton, New Jersey. At the time, there weren't a lot of Jersey players at Towson, but Brian fit in with his teammates right away. As one of his former coaches Gordy Combs said, "As good as Brian was as a football player, he was twice as good as a person." When Gordy was head coach, he said that Brian would just pop in unexpectedly to visit and say hello.

Over the last couple of decades, Brian suffered from MS. I had him on at halftime of a game a couple of years ago, and even though you could see that the disease was affecting his body, it had not touched his spirit. He was as happy and good hearted as ever.

While at Towson, Brian met his wife Denise. They have four wonderful children and they all just celebrated Brian's 55^th birthday a week earlier. Brian and Denise were season ticket holders for Towson football, and it always made you happy to see Brian. That's what he did to people when they saw him. He made them happy.

Through the years, Coach Combs says that Brian was the guy who kept those early '80's football players in touch with one another. He was the glue.

Last year, Towson celebrated its 50^th anniversary of football. Nobody would have loved that more than Brian O'Neal. When everyone gets together next year, no one will be missed more than Brian O'Neal.

Rest in peace Brian. You made everyone who ever met you better for having known you.

There were plenty of Brian's teammates at the 50^th celebration party and he was indeed missed.

This Saturday the football team will be hosting Bucknell for Homecoming. These are two old Patriot League rivals. The Tigers need a victory big time to get back on track.

Game time is 4 p.m. and Gordy Combs and I will have all the action for you on CBS Sports Radio 1300 and TowsonTigers.com starting at 3:45 p.m.

Until next week, GO TIGERS!!!