Brian Unangst, a sportscaster for Blue Ridge Cable Channel 13, died Dec. 26, 2021, of complications from COVID-19. Unangst, 50, of Bath, was a father, husband, son and well-known sports television personality.

Friends and colleagues reminisced and shared memories of his life.

Bob Capasso, BRCTV13’s sports director, said Unangst was at his best when he was out meeting people.

“He cared deeply for our area athletes and loved to tell their stories,” Capasso said. “He was also highly committed to our purpose of providing their viewers with the best sports coverage. But most of all, he was a good person, a devoted father, husband and a friend. We are saddened by his loss and will miss him dearly.”

Unangst made a huge impact on the local high school sports scene, offering more than three decades of coverage for area programs and athletes.

Unangst and Times News sports reporter Rod Heckman were lifelong friends. It was clear Unangst’s love and passion for sports manifested at an early age.

“His dad was the pastor at the church we went to,” Heckman said. “I lived a half-mile down the road from him. We used the church facilities to our advantage quite a bit. We shot baskets there, played Ping-Pong and hockey. Sometimes, his dad would even play goalie, and we would shoot on net against him.”

Heckman recalled Unangst’s start in local sports media, which was also with the Times News sports department in 1990, where he worked while in college for a short time. Then, an opportunity came up at BRCTV, and the rest was history.

“The last decade or so, our lives kind of took different paths,” Heckman said. “We didn’t see or talk to each other as much. But every time we did, it was like family - you just picked up where you left off. It’s like time stands still and you’re back where you were before.”

Unangst and George Ebbert were the familiar television broadcast tandem for local and regional high school wrestling matches.

“He was always happy and well prepared,” Ebbert said. “The two of us meshed well together. I think Brian and I hit it off well together since day one. By today’s standards, he was a relatively young man. It’s such a shame; he’s a good guy. The whole sports community won’t be the same.”

Colleague Jen Lobasso called Unangst a mentor.

“I know that the Blue Ridge community looks forward to sports ­- especially hearing Brian call a game. His enthusiasm, as far as sports were concerned, was genuine. He genuinely loved his job and being there,” Lobasso added. “He offered a lot of guidance. Not only that, he was just so much fun to work with.”

Jeff Nietz met Unangst when Nietz coached the Marian Catholic baseball team. Years later, Nietz became a BRCTV sportscaster for baseball games.

“We would talk about our families, his love for his motorcycle rides and doing rescue work with his dog,” Nietz said. “What meant most to him was doing things with his family and his love for his children. And to me, that’s his legacy.”

Unangst was a member of Wolfpack Search and Recovery. He was a first responder/volunteer for Wolfpack for the last six years and, during that time, served as a board president, captain and K-9 handler, with his K-9 partner, Bogey. Unangst was also part of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

His friends have set up a GoFundMe account at gofund.me/bef4f465 to help with expenses.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wolfpack Search and Rescue in care of Schisler Funeral Home, 2119 Washington Ave., Northampton, 18067.