ASHWAUBENON (NBC26) — Brian Schroeder, founder of the Green Bay Action Sports Organization, died Wednesday at the age of 39 after a long battle with a rare brain tumor. But some believe his legacy will live on through the indoor skate park, and the people he's helped along the way.
"He cared about everyone," said Chad Brinker, operations director at GBASO. "He cared about the kids. He cared about the parents. He wanted to see people get better."
GBASO, a non-profit, officially opened in 2014 as an inclusive indoor action sports facility catering to skateboarding, scooters, BMX and even unicycles.
The organization's mission is to "develop youth’s social, physical and leadership skills by partnering with the community to provide access to action sports and educational opportunities."
Brinker described his friend and co-worker as hard working and determined.
"He worked really hard for this place. This was a big project for him and he really believed in it," Brinker said. "To overcome the things that he overcame, he had to carry a lot. He really had to have his heart in it."
That passion sparked a lasting activity for some kids.
Braedan Harkey, 12, has been skateboarding for about a year. He started going to GBASO in August.
"I like just to skate with my friends, and it's a pretty cool place just to try new tricks and stuff," Harkey said.
For others, the facility is a safe haven.
Adrien Eggener, 11, said he's been skateboarding for as long as he can remember. When he was one years old, Eggener's brother would put him on a board and pull him around the driveway.
His love for the sport stuck with him all these years later, and is what brought him to GBASO.
"It's my home away from home. I love it a lot. I come here every day if possible," Eggener said. "I remember when I was a little younger I would always come into the skate park and (Brian) would be like, "Adrien!" He was great, and I'm glad that he was able to start this and have my home away from home."
Brinker said Schroeder had a unique slogan: Function through fear.
"When you're standing up on one of these ramps about to drop in, it's kind of a big deal," Brinker said. When you get past that and realize that you can do that, and it's usually easier then expected, that's a good lesson to take away. That's a lesson that he taught a lot of people."
Schroeder created a favorite getaway through GBASO, bringing the community together and positively impacting the young lives around him.
He leaves behind many lasting memories and a vision that lives on through the organization.
