A LASTING LEGACY
WHAT BEGAN 17 YEARS AGO AS A WAY TO HONOR THE IMPACT OF TYLER BROWN HAS GROWN INTO A CHERISHED PART OF CAMPUS.
BY: MATT SOWELL
PHOTOS: SCOTT DINERMAN, STC 03
ON APRIL 28, the Georgia Tech Alumni Association hosted a rededication of the Tyler Brown Pi Mile, a treasured running path that provides students with a safe route to jog through Tech’s scenic campus.
“Over my last four years here, the Tyler Brown Pi Mile has been more than just a route that I’ve run regularly,” said Army Cadet Association President Zach McGee, CS 22, at the rededication. “It represents Tyler’s mission to implement a safe, well-lit running path on campus and his mission to selflessly serve members of this campus and citizens of this country.”
First conceptualized in 2000 by Lt. Tyler Hall Brown, Mgt 01, HTS 01, the Pi Mile was inspired by Brown’s daily morning runs with the ROTC. He visualized a trail that would allow more students to be involved on the Tech campus in a safe manner. Using his platform as president of the Student Government Association, Brown laid the groundwork to make his vision a reality.
Brown was killed in Iraq on active duty in 2004, and to honor his legacy, the Pi Mile was dedicated to him the following year.
Since then, the route has been improved to better fit the campus as it evolved over the 17 years since the first iteration of the trail. Beginning and ending at the Campus Recreation Center, the redesigned path includes sturdy granite inlay markers, vertical signs to signal key entry points, and mile markers—all with the goal of in-creasing the visibility of the trail.
Tyler’s brother, Brent Brown, Mgt 96, said, “The fact that the Pi Mile trail continues to evolve 17 years later tells our family two things: Tyler had a huge impact while he was on cam-pus, and the simple idea of the Pi Mile trail has transformed into something great for all Georgia Tech. We can’t wait to see what happens over the next 17 years.”