Marian University Plymouth’s Foster continues fight for life

PLYMOUTH — On May 1st, Brian Foster and his family’s lives were changed forever.
Foster was returning home after attending the graduation of his players at Marian University Plymouth and was in a horrific accident with a semi-truck at the intersection of US 30 and Union Road near campus.
He has been in a coma since then with a severe traumatic brain injury (Diffuse Axonal Injury).
“We are in the middle of preparing to move him to a long-term acute care hospital in Chicago, since that is the closest one besides one in Crown Point, which is not in network,” said his wife, Natasha.
Foster is the head men’s basketball coach at Marian University Plymouth — formerly Ancilla College — and is also a graduate of the school and an outstanding player for the Chargers.
Foster also works for Beacon Community Impact as a Community Health Educator.
“The week of his accident, he was actually at Plymouth High School presenting to students in their health classes about the dangers of vaping,” said Natasha. “Plymouth High School dropped off at the hospital the most beautiful cards and letters from those Plymouth students talking about the impact he made on them in just that short time.”
The tragic events came at a time when Foster and his family were already in the process of some significant transitions and life events.
“Our daughter just graduated from IU Indy 6 days after his accident, and now is in the process of moving from Indy to Chicago to continue her D1 college basketball career at UIC,” said Natasha. “Our son graduated from high school this year, and his plan was to play for his dad this fall.”
“Even through all of this, Brian’s impact is so strong that two of his new recruits actually committed to play for him while he’s been in a coma,” she said.
“Brian has poured so much into the youth and athletes in this community,” said Natasha. “I really want to shed light on the amazing guy he is, but also use his story to bring some desperate attention to how dangerous that US 30 intersection is before this happens to another family, especially with Union being the road these Marian students and families have to take. I haven’t been on social media a lot lately, but I did notice that on May 21st and May 22nd there were two more accidents at that same intersection, as well as one a week ago at US 30 and Queen.”
The future is uncertain, but medical costs are not. Foster’s daughter, Vaya, started a GoFundMe account to help the family keep their heads above water with Foster’s relocation and continuing need for serious medical care.
Those interested in helping can go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/hope-and-healing-for-coach-brian-foster