Eagles Landing Christian Academy, McDonough, GA., was home for Stephen beginning in the sixth grade and until he moved back to KY his senior year (1997-2002). It holds such special memories in our heart. His brother Jon was a student also, his mother taught there, and his father was the basketball coach. There Stephen excelled in and out of the classroom, and adopted his southern charm. He participated in junior varsity basketball and football, varsity golf, tennis, track, and basketball.
ELCA is a private Christian school for K-12 grades. When he first attended in 1997, there were 160 students in 6-12th grades and 270 students in the entire one-building complex. In 2000, the new complex was built. All the students knew one another, appreciated, and respected each other. This was evident at the ceremony in the new ELCA gym on January 29th, 2010, when Stephen's jersey was retired. There were students who were seniors when Stephen began as a 6th grader and students who were much younger than him. There was a closeness that could not be explained. Not only did many students attend, the stands were full of parents of old classmates, and past faculty members.
Pastor Tim Dowdy, friend and pastor of Eagles Landing First Baptist Church spoke of his memories of Stephen and what he stood for. He asked for all the students to come join us on the floor. We stretched our hands out to each other as he prayed.
Next, Coach James Hunter relayed the story as to how he came to ELCA. Rick had been his assistant coach on the Henry Co Recreation and YBOA teams Stephen had been associated with. Rick called him and asked him to bring his son to ELCA and be his assistant. He went on to tell about the impact Stephen had had on peoples lives in such a short period of time.
It was evident with the amount of friends that came that evening. But it was also so clearly seen at his funeral. He said that the seventeen/eighteen people that came from Georgia witnessed it. (Although I counted up that there were at least thirty-one people that drove or flew in from Georgia for the funeral.) Stephen had only been back in Kentucky for a short time, but there was a constant line for hours at the funeral. James reinterated what others have said about Stephen's Christian character. They unveiled the jersey that will hang in the gym.
Rick had the pre-game talk with the team earlier that evening. He told them they would only have one opportunity to go out on the floor and give it their all...to play their best. He also told them they only have the one opportunity in life to make a difference...to live as God would want them live.
James told us the next evening that earlier in the season he had told Stephen's story to his team. As a result, he had two players give their lives to Jesus. We knew that Stephen's death had to have a reason. If these were just the only two lives saved, it would be worth it. However, we feel there are more we know nothing about.
Clay Reeves, close friend and teammate of Stephen's spoke afterwards about a memorial scholarship for a graduation senior they are starting for Stephen. The recipient must have a Christian character, be an athlete, have a strong academic standing, and possess citizenship qualities.
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