Brian Dowling – 50th Reunion Essay

Brian Dowling

129 Marvel Road

New Haven, CT 06515

bdowling1947@gmail.com

617-901-5459

Spouse(s): Marian Halsey (2012)

Child(ren): Haley Dowling, Stephanie Dowling, Jacqueline Dowling, Liza Halsey Thapa, Kate Halsey, Rafe Halsey, Will Halsey

Grandchild(ren): Saidan Thapa ( 2007), Novi Thapa ( 2010), Mayadin Thapa, (2014), Milo Halsey ( 2016)

Education: Yale 1969 BA

Career: Sales and marketing, non-profit management, insurance and property management consulting, ten years of professional football.

Avocations: Golf, tennis, reading.

College: Berkeley

In reflecting back on my experience at Yale, initially I had the misconception that Yale’s student body composition was primarily New Englanders with private school backgrounds. This misconception was quickly dispelled as my roommate and entryway mates were all from the Midwest and my football teammates were from all over the country. That to me was the real value of Yale, not the physical plant, impressive architecture, facilities and reputation, but the people associated with Yale: students, teachers, coaches, administrators and alumni.

Because of the amount of time spent with teammates over four years, I have a particular affinity for them because of all the different ups and downs we experienced together and the appreciation for them for the sacrifices they all made in striving for the same goals. These feelings only increased over the years when the times for reflection were there. I think for most people there is little impact for these reflections while the experiences are happening. Being part of many successes before coming to Yale, I had developed considerable confidence which resulted in always being very positive. (My positive take from the disappointing end to our football experience was that after 40 years, we got to be in a movie with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, and played for a Hall-of-Fame coach who was my surrogate father after mine passed away in the fall of 1966.)

My real joy in life after Yale was being the father of three daughters. Any nervousness I might have had while competing athletically doesn’t even come close to watching your children compete, all of whom were very accomplished. Now I understand how some parents can go a little overboard in encouraging their children.

I have been blessed with a wonderful family: loving wife, five siblings, three children, four stepchildren and four grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews, and needless to say, the extended Yale family.