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Class of 1982 establishes The Yogi Todd Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Todd Breier ’82

Todd Breier '82 wearing a Landon tshirt

When planning for their 40th reunion, the Class of 1982 chose to establish a scholarship in honor of their classmate Todd Breier ’82 who passed away in 2018.  “Todd was an unquestioned leader of our class - both on and off the playing fields. He had an ability to transcend the typical cliques that are prevalent in high school making all feel welcome whether as part of our class or part of any team,” shares Scott Johnston ’82, one of the lead organizers of the Class of 1982’s efforts. 

Joe Kenary ’82 echoes Scott’s sentiments noting that, “Our gift as a class is a testament to the high regard and fondness that we all had for him not only as a student, but in his years after graduation when Todd chose a path unlike any we could have dared to dream.”

Todd’s days at Landon were typical of many from that era and followed Mr. Banfield’s model of sound mind and sound body. Known inside and outside the classroom for tenaciously attacking any argument, it was in the athletic realm where his intensity burned brightest. As a three-year starter at quarterback, Todd led the Class of 1982 to Landon’s last undefeated, untied football season finishing 9-0. In addition, Todd was a three-year starter on the basketball team and a starter as both a midfielder and defender on the lacrosse team. In fact, Todd was so skilled that he effortlessly made the switch his senior year to defense having never played the position before, and continued in college as a starting defenseman at the University of Virginia. In addition to his academic and athletic feats, Todd was a community service leader who mentored fatherless boys and was a joyful participant in any idea Mr. Robert Condit, the creator of Landon’s Community Service programs, could conceive.

If his life at Landon was one of great success, it was the life he chose after Landon that resonated deeply with his classmates and is the impetus behind the special naming of the endowed fund as The Yogi Todd Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Todd Breier ’82. After college, Todd chose a life of adventure as a world traveler. Todd would go for six months or more at a time, meticulously visiting places he had not seen like South America, Africa or Asia. While he returned home from time to time to visit, his path was set. And yet, he made sure to include his classmates in his adventures and would write postcards with stories like eating a complete fish dinner roadside in India for 10 cents or encouraging us to join him in Rio because the night life had to be seen to be believed. Ultimately, Todd settled in Taiwan where he lived with his beloved wife, Victoria Breier, who provided a peaceful home where he taught English to adult learners and they planned their next adventure together.   

As to the title Yogi Todd, it is a term of respect and reflects the meaning of the word yogi defined as someone who is a unifier or of a spiritual nature, both qualities which Todd possessed. It also reflects his deep commitment to the study of yoga that Todd took up when traveling in India, a practice he continued throughout his life. While first seen as somewhat odd by many since yoga was not a mainstream idea in the late 80s, Todd did not care and even encouraged Rob Bordley ’66 to incorporate daily yoga stretching into Landon’s varsity lacrosse program. Although Rob admits, “Todd wanted to do 30 minutes of stretching, I told him 10 minutes max.” As classmate Kevin Coward ’82 shares, “It came as no surprise that Todd went on to become Yogi Todd as he always seemed to possess such a vast sense of inner resolve and serenity before I'd even become familiar with these qualities being worthy aspirations.”

Through broad support from members of the Class of 1982 as well as a gift from Victoria, The Yogi Todd Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Todd Breier ‘82 is now over $100,000 and the scholarship will be awarded for the 2024-2025 school year to a Middle or Upper School student who demonstrates academic excellence, active involvement in athletic or extracurricular activities, and has unquestioned personal integrity and character. According to George Pappas ’82, “Todd represented the best of us and meant so much to so many. It makes me happy knowing that somewhere on campus his spirit, our spirit, will continue to live on, running free on the playing fields and in the classroom.”   

Our deepest thanks go to all who supported this endowed scholarship fund. If you would like to make a contribution to The Yogi Todd Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Todd Breier ‘82 or you are interested in making a gift that is meaningful to you and Landon, please contact Director of Development Peter J. Gallo, Ph.D., at peter_gallo@landon.net or 301-320-1004.