When Brandon Schuck transferred to Safford High School from the Mesa area during his sophomore year, he had sports on his mind and went to see Athletic Director Joe Burnside almost immediately.

Schuck, who was killed Tuesday while serving with the United States Marine Corps in Iraq, was always ready to compete and give his all, Burnside said.

"We did everything we could to get him started in sports," he said. "He had very little background, but he had the determination to be very good. By his senior year, he was a starter on the football, basketball and golf teams."

Schuck and Megan wed after he graduated from Marine Corps boot camp , where he won the Ironman award for being the strongest in his class. Contributed photo

That was in September 2001. In the summer following that year, Burnside put Schuck to work doing odd jobs around his house. Schuck originally moved to the Valley with his mother, but by September 2002, he was living with his sister. When she decided to move to Tucson, Schuck was left homeless, so he called Burnside.

"One night he called and asked if he could stay with us because he had nowhere to go," Burnside said. "We thought it would just be a weekend, but it turned into two years."

Burnside said because Schuck had done work at his house, he knew an extra room was available and that it was his wife who was instrumental in Brandon's extended stay.

"(Cici, Burnside's wife) starting baking and cooking for him," Burnside said. "He liked just about everything we ate, but he really loved this one dish with chicken and gravy over white rice. Boy, did that kid like white rice."

Burnside reminisced about the little things he will miss about Brandon but said he tried not to get too close to him because he was also Brandon's coach.

"I also had to discipline him on the field," he said. "He was a good kid, though, and he rarely broke our house rules."

The Burnsides eventually, however, came to love Brandon much like their own child. He had friends and his future wife, Megan, visit their house; he was allowed to drive the Burnsides' car, and Cici shared in Brandon's joy when he made the basketball team.

"She told me a story about the day he came home and found out he had made the basketball team," Burnside said. "She said she was so happy for him, and that was a new experience for him. He never had an adult really care about what he was doing."

Though Schuck's background and upbringing were not ideal, Burnside said he was committed to becoming a contributing member of society.

"He wanted to go into the military from day one, so it didn't surprise me when he joined the Marines," he said. "(Schuck) was smart enough to know that the Marines would give him the best start toward that goal."

The Burnsides knew Schuck would be deployed after entering the military, and Burnside said he had concerns, but "(Schuck) knew what he was getting into."

Burnside heard about Schuck's death Tuesday when Megan called him.

"At first I couldn't understand her because she was crying so hard," he said. "I knew someone had died, but I couldn't understand what she was saying. Then I realized who it had to be."

Burnside has kept his faith close, and it is helping him through this time. He also introduced Schuck to Christ and gave him his first Bible.

"I believe he is in heaven with God now," Burnside said. "If you trust in the Lord, as I do, you have to believe that everything happens for the greater good, and this will lead to something good."

Burnside's words may become reality sooner than he thought because several teachers are working together to start an education fund for Gavin, Schuck's son, in Schuck's name.

"The teachers are all for it and have already pledged donations to the fund," Burnside said.

Schuck's competitive spirit and go-get-them attitude are attributes for which Burnside said he thinks Schuck would like to be remembered.

"When he stepped onto the field, he was there to play," he said. "I think he would want to be remembered as someone who had a passion for competing and doing the best he could."

Contact Lindsey Stockton at 428-2560 (ext. 240) or e-mail her at lindsey@eacourier.com.