Beloved coach, mentor and teacher: Amber Brunswig’s legacy leaves lasting impact
The Wichita-area softball community is mourning the loss of Eisenhower High School softball coach and longtime educator Amber Brunswig, who died over the weekend at the age of 47.
Brunswig, affectionately known to her players as “Coach B” or “Bunsy,” died following complications from a major cardiac event earlier this month.
According to updates from the Facebook page of the Eisenhower softball team, she was rushed to an emergency room in the early hours of June 3 and placed in a medically induced coma. She was then placed in hospice care on June 15 before passing away.
The Goddard and Wichita softball communities have rallied around the Brunswig family in recent weeks, showing their support with the hashtag #AmberStrong on social media. They also made t-shirts with all proceeds going directly to the Brunswig family.
“Our hearts are heavy as we share that our dear friend Amber passed away this weekend,” the Facebook page wrote on Sunday evening. “She touched so many lives through her kindness and strength. Please continue to keep her family in your prayers as they navigate this time. We will share service details as soon as they are available.”
A native of Arkansas City, Brunswig was a standout softball player during her own playing days. She was a star pitcher for the Arkansas City High School team, leading the Bulldogs to four consecutive state tournament appearances and a Class 5A state championship in 1996.
Her talent took her to Wichita State for a collegiate career from 1997-99, although injuries sidelined her for much of her time with the Shockers.
Brunswig’s passion for softball carried into her professional life, as she spent 16 years teaching in the Newton school district and also six seasons as the softball coach for the Railers. After stepping away from coaching to prioritize her family, she returned to the dugout in 2018 as the head coach at Eisenhower.
In her seven seasons leading the Tigers, Brunswig built one of the premier softball programs in the area, compiling a 114-61 record. Under her leadership, Eisenhower won two AV-CTL Division II championships, four regional titles and reached the Class 5A state semifinals in three straight years from 2021-23, highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2023.
Brunswig’s coaching excellence was recognized with AV-CTL Division II Coach of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023, along with being named the Coach of the Year on the Wichita Eagle All-Metro team in 2023. But those who knew her say it was her character, more than her accolades, that left a lasing impact.
Beyond the softball field, Brunswig was a dedicated fifth-grade teacher at Discovery Intermediate School in the Goddard School District. In the outpouring of support on social media, friends, colleagues and players described her as a strong role model and mentor to both her students and her players.
“My amazing wife, Amber, best mom ever to our kids, loved daughter and sister, is now at the end of her life in hospice,” her husband, Preston, shared in a heartfelt update on June 15. “We so appreciate the love and support that everyone has provided to us. It means so much to see how she has so profoundly impacted her many communities through teaching, coaching, advising, and just being the best woman possible.”
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 6:01 AM.
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