By Cameron Henderson-Cole ’20

THE ROUNDUP

Mr. Chris Stevens, coach and math teacher experienced a stroke last year and hasn’t been to Brophy since.

Mr. Jose Leyba ’94, wrestling coach with Stevens, said he had attended Stevens’ 50th birthday.

“I was amazed to see how far he had come, he was walking without a cane,” Mr. Leyba said. “His continued hard-work and dedication to be back at Brophy shows how much he loves and misses the community.”

On his GoFundMe page, Mr. Stevens’ wife Mrs. Sena Stevens said that Mr. Stevens was in Colorado visiting his sons when he began to show signs of the stroke.

Mr. Antonioli, Mr. Burke, Mr. Fisko and Mr.Agliano were only a few names of the 451 people that contributed to the $52,750 raised in five months–surpassing the original goal of $50,000.

On Stevens’ GoFundMe page, a recent update on Mr. Stevens’ health said he is working on his strength and mobility on the right side of his body, and doctors are impressed with his progress.

Long time friend, Mr. Stevens mentored Mr. Leyba when he was a student at Brophy.

“Mr. Stevens is patient, always gave advice and is always encouraging on whatever we were doing,” Mr. Leyba said.

In his 16 years of coaching, Mr. Stevens has been the varsity head coach of seven different sports.

Senior Brophy wrestler Gabriel de la Rocha ’18 said Mr. Stevens was integral to his development as a wrestler.

“He taught me the basics of wrestling and that’s just how my wrestling career started,” de la Rocha said.

“He has a coaching style that is perfect for anyone that just wants to wrestle,” he added.

Gabriel said Mr. Stevens leaves such a vital role not just in sports and the classroom, but also in the daily lives of fellow teachers and students that look up to him.

“Anybody that knows Mr. Stevens knows he has quite a motor about him,” said Mr. Chad Unrein

“He brings a lot of energy to the sideline or to the dugout in games,” said Mr. Unrein. “He’s a very knowledgeable coach.”

Last season, the baseball team dedicated every game to Mr. Stevens by hanging up his jersey in the dugout.