5 C Hero: The Joel Stephens Story - Softcover

D'Aloisio, Michael G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1449054188 ISBN 13: 9781449054182

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2009

Synopsis

5 C Hero is the inspirational story of Joel Stephens, a truly gifted athlete and devout Christian, who lived the values of Christianity, Courage, Compassion, Character, and Commitment. With the brightest of futures ahead of him, Stephens lost his battle with a rare form of cancer in 1998 at the age of 22. D'Aloisio, as coach, mentor, and friend, knew Stephens better than most. In this book, he chronicles the record-setting athletic exploits of Joel throughout his high school years as well as his professional career as a baseball player in the Baltimore Orioles organization, and his decision to accept a scholarship to play Division I football for Syracuse University. In many ways, Joel's story parallels that of Ernie Davis, the "Elmira Express," who was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. More important than any athletic achievements, Joel's faith and his concern for others are the qualities that define Joel Stephens. D'Aloisio takes the reader on a painful odyssey as Joel accepts his illness yet valiantly struggles to overcome it. This tragic story is told with humor, intensity, and great warmth. It is remarkable that Stephens touched so many lives in such a short period of time. Even after his death, his legacy continues to grow through the Joel Stephens Foundation and other charitable organizations and events held in his honor. For those who knew Joel, this book will bring them even closer to an old friend; for those who never had the opportunity to meet Joel in person, this book will help you realize what you missed.

About this title

About the Author:

Michael G. D'Aloisio, a graduate of the State University of New York at Cortland and Elmira College, is Assistant Principal at Notre Dame High School in Elmira, New York. At various times during the past 30 years, he has served as a teacher, athletic director, and varsity head coach of the football, basketball, tennis, and golf teams. He has amassed an Elmira / Corning area record 193 wins with 69 losses, and 15 league championships as a football coach. He also has 268 wins as a head basketball coach during his 18 season career. His football team won a New York State Championship in 1990, 4 Sectional Titles, and had 3 Final Four appearances. As a basketball coach, D'Aloisio won 7 Divisional and League titles, 3 Sectional titles, and had 1 Final Four appearance. He is a member of the Notre Dame High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Elmira Free Academy Hall of Fame. He was named Coach of the Year seven times. D'Aloisio is a native of Elmira, where he resides with his wife, Jayne.

About this edition

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1449054188
• ISBN 13: 9781449054182
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 220