Fernando is a 1980 graduate of Peabody High school. Fernando is also one of only a few individuals who will now be in both the Athletes Hall of Fame and the MSTCA Coaches Hall of Fame. While at Peabody Fernando took the Greater Boston League by storm running for coach George Smyrnios. He still holds the Massachusetts all-time high school record in the 5000 meter (14:52), which he set in 1980. Braz was a high school All American in both cross country and track, winning a dozen individual state titles, and incredibly, along with his teammate and fellow MSTCA Hall of Famer, Lesley Welch, was the first ever in the state to take back-to-back cross country All State crowns. He finished 15th at the Kinney (now Footlocker) Cross Country Nationals in 1980, and 10 years later was inducted into the Peabody Hall of Fame. His high school PR’s are quite impressive. 800m 1:57, 1-mile in 4:21.1, 2-mile in 9:15.6, the aforementioned 14:52 in the 5k and an impressive 10k in 30:42. When asked about his time at Peabody High School Fernando mentions the opportunity to be coached by George Smyrnios, the relationship with his teammates including Lesley and Lisa Welch (both MSTCA Hall of Famers) but most importantly, having his brother Helder as a teammate his senior year. After high school Fernando earned an athletic scholarship to Boston College, where he continued his unbelievable career. In 1981 and 1982 he became the first Eagle to qualify for the NCAA national championships as an individual. The 82 season was one for the ages as he became the Big East indoor and outdoor 5K champion, the indoor New England 5K and the outdoor 10K crowns. In 1984 he helped lead the BC cross country team to an 11th place NCAA finish. Braz was a 6X Big East All Conference selection, was named All-New England 12 times, and was a three-time cross country MVP for the Eagles. In 2001 he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame. Fernando said he is grateful for his time at BC, especially the coaching of Jack MacDonald and being a part of the first and only Men’s XC team to qualify for the NCAA Championships and the lifelong friendships he formed. After graduating from Boston College he turned pro to run for Nike Boston and was a two-time qualifier for the Olympic Marathon Trials. His lifetime best performances include: a 13:59 for the 5K, 29:02 for the 10K, he ran 10 miles in 48:36, a half marathon in 1:06.1 and a full 26.2 miles in 2:18.26. In addition to his current coaching at Peabody H.S. he is the president and head coach of “Going The Distance” an organization that coaches not only track athletes but people from other sports looking to improve their speed and stamina. Jay Smith, who was the throwing coach for the Tanners says of Fernando, "…. Fernando cares about the whole person first, and that he's never afraid to hold everybody — himself first, the staff, and the kids — to the highest levels of personal accountability, responsibility and effort, ….He achieves this with real humility. He is equal parts coach, wizard, psychologist, comedian, taskmaster and motivator." Fernando currently lives in Peabody with his wife Pamela and has 2 children Shane and Ella. He is a teacher and coaches the boys and girls XC/Track Coach at Peabody High School.
Class: 1980 Inducted: 2020