William Monroe’s Sam Brunelle has never shied away from using her platform to make a difference or be a force for positivity. She’s raised money for flood victims in Houston through a basketball clinic and she’s made time for nearly any kid across Central Virginia who has asked for an autograph or a selfie over the last four years.
That’s why it comes as little surprise that she took one of her biggest personal moments to build awareness for a much smaller human’s struggle.
While signing with Notre Dame Wednesday and making official a verbal pledge she made in April, Brunelle signed her letter with her left hand, drawing attention to Charlottesville-based basketball trainer and St. Anne’s-Belfield head coach Damin Altizer’s toddler daughter Katie, who has cerebral palsy and is undergoing constraint-induced therapy to improve her use of her left hand. Altizer, who has worked extensively with Brunelle, posted on social media earlier this week about he and his wife Kelly’s commitment to using their non-dominant hand in solidarity with Katie’s therapy. Brunelle joined the Altizers’ support with her signing.
“She hasn’t had use of her left hand, so in honor of her I’m signing with my left hand today,” Brunelle announced to the crowd that had gathered to support one of Greene County’s favorite native daughters. “In hopes that we can spread awareness for her and help her get better.”
With that movement of the pen with her left hand, Brunelle completed a process that, because of Brunelle’s talent and her pairing it with a relentless work ethic, felt like destiny since before she set foot on a high school court, inking a full scholarship with a top notch academic university and women’s basketball program in Notre Dame, the reigning national champions.
“I’m excited to get after it and hopefully get a national championship,” Brunelle said.
Brunelle, the reigning state Class 3 and Gatorade Virginia player of the year, begins her senior campaign this month after averaging 30.0 points and 16.0 rebounds per game as a junior and pushing the Dragons to the state tournament for the first time since the 1980s.
“I don’t think it’s quite hit me that hard yet that this is actually my last year,” Brunelle said. “I’m just going to be grateful for the time I’ve had here.”
She’ll head to Notre Dame as perhaps the most decorated high school player male or female in Central Virginia history. But right now, she’s focused on helping the Dragons complete their team goals.
“I’m so excited that I’m officially (going to Notre Dame),” Brunelle said. “Moving forward I’m just focused on my senior season and enjoying the ride while it lasts.”
