Leon Orin Braisted III Inducted into the CHSL Hall of Fame

Leon Orin Braisted III has spent more than two decades building one of the most accomplished coaching careers in Michigan high school athletics, and his impact on student-athletes across the Catholic High School League continues to be felt today.

Coach Braisted began his varsity girls golf coaching career at Birmingham Seaholm High School in 1998, leading the program for eighteen seasons before taking over as head coach at Marian High School in 2016. Throughout his coaching career, his girls programs have consistently competed at the highest level in the state of Michigan, earning eight State Championships, six State Runner-Up finishes, five additional Top-4 state finishes, two Catholic High School League Championships, eighteen Regional Championships, multiple Oakland County Championships, and ten Oakland Activities Association Championships. Combined, his girls teams have amassed an incredible 2,863–366 record.

His success extends to the boys game as well. Coach Braisted began coaching varsity boys golf at Birmingham Seaholm in 1998 before becoming the Varsity Boys Golf Coach at Brother Rice High School in 2017. His boys programs have captured a Catholic High School League Championship, seven Oakland Activities Association Championships, a State Runner-Up finish, and more than 2,000 career victories. Across both boys and girls programs, Coach Braisted has won a total of nine State Championships.

While the championships are remarkable, Coach Braisted takes just as much pride in the perseverance shown by his teams in seven State Runner-Up finishes — accomplishments that reflect the consistency, dedication, and competitiveness of his programs year after year.

Beyond team success, Coach Braisted has remained deeply committed to creating opportunities for student-athletes. He continues to organize and host more than 35 to 40 high school golf tournaments for boys and girls each year, giving athletes the chance to compete on premier golf courses they may otherwise never have the opportunity to experience.

“It’s about the kids, not me,” Braisted said, a philosophy that has guided his entire coaching career.

His impact has been recognized at the highest levels of high school athletics. Coach Braisted is a four-time Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Coach of the Year, a three-time Michigan High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year, and was named the National Federation of High Schools Coach of the Year in 2018 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2019. In 2015, he was inducted into the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Coach Braisted’s influence reaches far beyond the golf course. He has served as the NHSACA Golf Chairperson at the National Convention, held multiple leadership positions within the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association — including President, President-Elect, Past President, and Executive Director — and served as an MHSAA Representative while organizing tournaments at every level of high school golf.

In addition to golf, Coach Braisted also dedicated time to coaching bowling at both Marian High School and Brother Rice High School. His leadership helped create opportunities for student-athletes while building programs centered on discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and growth.

For Coach Braisted, the recognition is meaningful not because of personal accolades, but because of the people and programs connected to the Catholic League tradition.

“Truly an honor to be inducted into the CHSL Hall of Fame,” Braisted said. “This will be my third Hall of Fame. I have truly been blessed and speechless to say the least when I received this information. When you look over the list and see other names associated with this Hall of Fame, I have to pinch myself.”

He continued, “Like I have been quoted before, you coach for kids, not for the glory and recognitions. If you are coaching to be recognized, you are in the wrong profession. God is good.”

That philosophy has defined Coach Braisted’s career and helped shape thousands of student-athletes over the years. His commitment to creating opportunities, mentoring young athletes, and building lasting relationships has left a permanent impact on Marian, Brother Rice, and the Catholic High School League as a whole.

For his unparalleled success, leadership, service, and dedication to student-athletes, Coach Braisted is a deserving inductee into the CHSL Hall of Fame.