Alex Thomas and several Palmetto High colleagues recently made a special visit to Hungry Howie’s down 17th Street one evening.
“We had a few beers for Bryan,” the wrestling coach said.
He meant Bryan Wilkes, the beloved athletic director, who died Aug. 11 after a brief illness.
Hungry Howie’s was a must stop for the man who started Palmetto’s wrestling program and was a widely respected mentor his 21 years at the school.
Damon Logan wishes he’d had been there, too.
“Oh, the stories,” said Wilkes’ cousin and former Southeast wrestler when Wilkes was a Noles’ assistant coach. “Not a day goes by we don’t talk about him.”
Andy Gugliemini would’ve loved being at Hungry Howie’s, as well.
“Of course,” said Manatee High’s longtime wrestling coach. “Had a few
cold ones there with Bryan over the years.”
The memories are many among those who knew Wilkes, a Southeast alum and former Marine.
“He made a lasting difference in the lives of so many,” said Palmetto Principal Monica DeLesline.
Thomas is one. He was a personal trainer with a wrestling background when his father, whose first name was Brian, died in 2021.
“I was depressed. My job wasn’t moving the needle in life for me and I quit. But Wilkes gave me an opportunity when I needed it most. It gave me purpose. It gave me life. I lost one Brian and gained another. I’m forever grateful.”
So is Logan, a plumbing company owner who can vouch for Wilkes’ drive.
“He wrestled you, beat on you in practice and then he’d jump on his bike, follow me around, chanting his old Marine Corps chants as I’m running a couple of miles in trash bags to cut weight. He spent hours teaching me, making me believe I can do better.”
Gugliemini, like everyone, was stunned by Wilkes’ sudden passing.
“It’s so hard to grasp. Bryan was tough, a Marine, a wrestler, things that scream ‘RESPECT,’ and his athletes emulated him. We’ve lost an amazing man.”
Palmetto High will host a Celebration of Life for Wilkes in the school auditorium on Sept. 26 at 2 p.m.
· Linda Bartley McKinney is 39. Again.
· Rob Jerger, with the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Field Services and Collections Department, is Employee of the Quarter.
· Salutes to new Bradenton Police Officers Jaela Mourino and John Preyer, who each come with prior law enforcement experience.
· Good luck to Mark Wolf, new Deputy Chief of Clinical Affairs at Manatee County EMS, Brandon Craig, promoted to Shift Training Officer, and Taylor Agee and Olivia Kanahan, promoted to Charge Paramedic.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN'S PEOPLE: Palmetto AD's legacy: 'He made a lasting difference'
