Boise State sophomore catcher Mya Flindt has chosen to honor her late travel ball coach, Brandan Everett, by wearing the number 58 on her jersey this season, she said in a statement released Mar. 19.
Flindt’s decision reflects the deep influence Everett had on her life and career. Many Boise State softball players select their numbers to pay tribute to family members, but for Flindt, the choice extends beyond immediate relatives.
As a child, Flindt originally wore number 13 until it was taken by another teammate. She then switched to number 31 in recognition of her first catching coach, Jenny Topping. That tradition continued through her freshman year at South Carolina before transferring to Boise State, where number 31 was already assigned to senior third baseman Hollie Farmer.
Flindt decided instead to honor Everett, whom she described as a “second father.” “I met Brandan when I was 9 or 10 years old,” Flindt said. “He was of three coaches on my Sorcerer Softball team in Sacramento.” She added that his four daughters felt like sisters to her.
Everett passed away unexpectedly in January 2025. Flindt recalled missing opening weekend with the Gamecocks to attend his funeral and being moved by how many lives he touched: “At the end of the funeral, all softball players who were there were asked to come on stage,” Flindt said. “There were so many of us and I didn’t know half of them. But it was really cool to see how many lives Brandan touched. When he loved you, you knew he loved you. He took you in like a second daughter.”
Flindt credits Everett for supporting her through difficult times and continues to remember him before every game: “He is a part of everything I do,” she said. “Before every game, during the national anthem, I say a prayer to him and my grandmother, who did not get to watch me play much before she passed away a couple of years ago.”
After transferring closer to home and joining her younger sister Alyssa at Boise State, Flindt consulted Everett’s daughters about choosing a new number. Since Everett’s California Highway Patrol badge ended in 58, she adopted that as her new jersey number: “I wanted to honor Brandan,” Flindt said. “I called his daughters and asked their advice on what to do… So I chose that as my new number.” She added: “I wish Brandan was here to see me wearing 58 because I think it would make him happy. Every time I see 58 when I am putting on my jersey, it brings back so many happy memories.”
Currently leading Boise State with seven home runs this season, Flindt summed up Everett’s impact: “You are not going to meet someone like him. He was such a special person. He would literally do anything for you.”
