Sportsmanship Kicks Off Success: Briarwood’s Coach Fred Yancey

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Education Extra

Coach Fred Yancey’s win percentage as a high school head coach was an exceptional 74.5%. Yancey coached the Lions at Briarwood Christian High School for twenty-nine seasons and his record ranks fourth in the state for wins at a single school. In September, I sat down with the Coach at his home in Dunnavant Valley for a discussion about sportsmanship.

Coach Yancey in middle of team huddle — Coach Fred Yancey led the Briarwood football team to win three state titles during his coaching tenure before he retired in 2019. Photos courtesy: Matthew Forester.

We started with Coach Yancey’s experience as a team captain in high school- Messick in Memphis. “At Messick, I was taught to be competitive- to care deeply about winning- balanced with an emphasis on playing with class.” This philosophy was the frame for his years of coaching. According to Coach Yancey, sportsmanship begins with respect for the other team: both teams need to be able to hold their heads up. He explained that the coach sets the tone. “In a way, the coach walks a tightrope- he trains his players to be the most competitive team the opposition will ever see, yet, at the same time, to do it in a way respected by all. We knock ‘em down, and then help ‘em up.” The players must execute good, tough football but never rub it in. After a score or a good play, his players were trained to celebrate on the sidelines, not “showboat.” But principles taught must also be enforced. “Some boys come into the program thinking the coach expects them to be the meanest player on the field. And even great kids can get out of line.” Yancey explained that the coaching staff used practice sessions to convince players that bad behavior was “not worth it.” Coach Yancey gave an example of how he tried to demonstrate good sportsmanship. By halftime in a certain game, it was clear the score was insurmountable by the opposing team. So, Briarwood put in its younger players to give them experience. The final score was the same as it was at halftime and still a convincing win. At the end of the game, the opposing team’s coach sprinted across the field to shake Yancey’s hand. He said, “That was the classiest thing I have ever seen.” The two coaches developed a lasting friendship.

Coach Yancey walking on sidelines — Coach Yancey coached the Briarwood Lions for 29 seasons.

As for fans, Yancey noted it is human nature to like attention, that is, to make our mark in front of people. “When the fans are vocal, the boys love it,” he said, “and they also notice when the fans are not into the game.” Fans should always be enthusiastic and supportive particularly when the team is struggling. During the heat of summer practice in an empty stadium, Yancey motivated players by helping them look ahead to the full stands of fall. He told them they wanted to be ready. Coach Yancey pointed out a key difference in fan dynamics between high school and college. In college stadiums, the fans make generic noise because of their distance from the field. But in high school, the fans are much closer- individual voices can be heard on the field. He encourages fans to “watch your language and your temper. You will be heard in a high school stadium. Don’t have regrets.”

Coach Yancey’s approach to sportsmanship has roots in his Christian faith. He views how the game is played as both an obligation to the God he serves and as an opportunity to express his spiritual life to others. This positive message impacted the thousands of individuals he coached in football and track. During his tenure, Briarwood won three state titles- 1998, 1999, and 2003- and played in the state championship game in three additional seasons- 2007, 2010, and 2017. Numerous Briarwood Lions played at the college level. Three of his players competed professionally: Tim and Simeon Castille (NFL) and Michael Hires (CFL). Former Briarwood quarterback Barrett Trotter was an NFL offensive coach. Coach Yancey retired in 2019 and was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2020. His winning legacy validates that sportsmanship is not some add-on, not some afterthought to getting the job done. Sportsmanship is the opening kick-off for success on the playing field. And throughout life.

-Bill Norton

[email protected]

October 25, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Our House

Do you think you have a foundation issue? As a homeowner, this can be very alarming. You may ask yourself, “What should I do?” or “What could be causing this?” Read on for answers to these questions.

3 Common Causes of Foundation Issues

1. Settling. Houses settle naturally with the weight of the house and the ground underneath shifting. There may be hairline cracks which are a common result of normal settlement. Look for large cracks that suddenly appear. If a crack is wider than an eighth of an inch, you may have a foundation problem.

Crack in exterior wall — These signs include cracks in exterior and interior walls and poor drainage.

Drainage problem — Here are some photos of common signs that a home has foundation problems.

2. Soil erosion. This can cause the foundation to shift which in turn causes cracks in your walls. This could be caused by flooding, drought, and extreme amounts of rain.

3. Poor drainage. This will sneak up on you since it happens over time. Be sure your drainage is 10-12 feet away from your foundation.

Some signs you can look for include separation around windows and/or walls, cracked bricks, broken or cracked foundations, cracked sheetrock, cracks in the floor, and uneven floors. If you find any of the above in your interior and/or exterior walls, act quickly.

Here are some concerns resulting from foundation settlement:

Damage to the structure
Loss of real estate value
Tripping hazards
Unsightly cracks

Our team at Parrot Structural Services will be glad to come out at no charge to you, assess your problem, and give you our professional opinion. You will then be able to make any necessary repairs and address the underlying cause. Visit www.parrotstructural.com or call us at 205-668-2626.

-Joan Maas

Owner of Parrot Structural Services, LLC

October 25, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

The Home Front

I can remember playing outside after church on Sundays with my many cousins and hearing my Nanny Swann come out on the porch and call us to the table, “Time to eat, y’all!” If you are one of the lucky ones who had the good fortune to grow up with lots of first cousins and Sunday dinners, then you had the treasured experience of learning all about your family and life in general with your feet under the children’s table. It’s a place where you learn who you are and who your kin are as you dine on delicious food made by many aunts and grandmothers. We cousins grew up together at that table.

For those with small families or those not blessed with the knowledge or experience of this phenomenon, the children’s table is where all little ones eat at their grandmother’s house for Sunday dinners- which are at lunchtime right after church- but we call it dinner to proclaim the importance of gathering to break bread as a family on God’s holy day. Now my most memorable children’s table experiences happened at Popa and Nanny (Coy and Lorene) Swann’s house. When I was born, I was named after my nanny, Danna Lorene Swann, and they lived right down the road from us. Popa and Dad farmed cattle together. Nanny and Popa had been married a long time and had raised a large family by the time I came along. They always had massive Sunday dinners at the little house they had built out of wood logged off their land back in the early 1900s.

Danna holding turkey — Nanny Swann’s Best Roasted Turkey and Chicken and Dressing recipes are great options to enjoy this Thanksgiving.

With six children, their spouses, their combined eighteen grandchildren, and the extra people who managed to drop in, the house was very full at Sunday dinners. The children’s plates were filled first, and then we were situated in the dining room and living room. The older children in their teens got to sit on the piano bench and the living room sofa and chairs. We younger ones had to sit at the dining room table with admonitions to be good and not to spill anything. We tried to be good but inevitably someone usually spilled his or her tea after we got tickled about something, especially one of my younger cousins, who had a knack for it.

After everyone was served and before Nanny put a single morsel of food in her mouth, she made sure her whole clan was getting fed and fed well. Not one of her babies was allowed to be hungry on her watch. She would walk to every room and stand there quietly looking at every one of us and at our plate, and then she would say, “Do you have enough to eat?” After we assured her that we did, she would go to the kitchen, sit in her chair, and make her plate. What an amazing woman my Nanny was! To this day, I am in awe of her ability to take such good care of so many people. You know, you learn a lot of important stuff sitting at the children’s table. I hope you enjoy these family recipes perfect for the holiday season.

-Danna Standridge

Author of Happiness is Homemade Y’all! and 2024 Sweet Grown Alabama Ambassador

Read her faith story at www.birminghamchristian.com/issues.

Join her in the kitchen on Facebook and YouTube.

Nanny Swann’s Best Roasted Turkey

Ingredients:

Turkey
1 stick butter
Salt

Instructions:

Thaw turkey in the refrigerator for approximately 2 days. When the giblets easily come out, it is time to cook. Wash the turkey inside and out. Butter and salt it, then wrap it in foil and put it in your roasting pan. Check the package directions for the size turkey you have, then bake till done. Take the foil off for the last 30 minutes to ensure even browning. You can tell it is done when the skin of the thigh is pricked with a fork and the juice runs clear or if the drumstick joint feels loose.

Nanny Swann’s Chicken and Dressing

Ingredients:

Chicken- cooked and pulled apart into bite size (Giblets are optional, but Nanny always used them. She chopped them and added them to the dressing but omitted the liver because of the strong flavor.)
2 cans of chicken broth, or broth used to poach chicken
2 pans cooked cornbread- let it sit out overnight to get stale
2 or 3 boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
2 eggs, beaten
2-4 tablespoons of chopped, fresh sage according to your taste (add a little at a time and taste the batter as you go till it is to your liking)
Sprinkle of paprika

Instructions:

Crumble cornbread into large mixing bowl. Roll sage between hands till it falls apart into bowl. Add chicken. Add hot broth one cup at a time till thin. Stir in beaten eggs. Gently stir in boiled eggs. Pour into greased pan and sprinkle with paprika. Cook at 350° till firm all over.

October 25, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

I’m not a Detroit Lions fan, except on Thanksgiving Day. And as if watching the Lions game is as much a part of the Thanksgiving festivities as is the turkey and dressing, the girls slowly drift away, one by one, retreating away from the living room and the rarely used television set. Most years, the Lions have been as bad as the rutabagas that Hannah sometimes cooks as a supposed compliment to the turkey and dressing. But still, I watch until I either drift off, retreat to find the girls, or maybe see if anyone wants to go hunting.

Hunting is a true Thanksgiving tradition at our house. My middle daughter, Cape, almost always joins me. My oldest, Bay, usually does too. And sometimes, depending on if the mood hits her, my youngest, Banks, will also. But sometimes, the mid-Lions game nap might overlap with what would have otherwise been hunting time. Hunting is time well spent. Not necessarily because we are hunting, but because we are together. The time would have been well spent watching the Lions game, too. But the girls have never been very interested in professional football. Truth be told, I haven’t either. Growing up in Lake Forrest, a subdivision in Spanish Fort, Ala., former University of Alabama and Atlanta Flacon quarterback, Scott Hunter lived up the street from us. His daughter and I were the same age, and so we found ourselves fast playmates. My dad occasionally watched the New Orleans Saints and the Falcons on Sundays, but not enough to amount to a tradition. But then came the United States Football League in the mid-1980s. Curious about the ‘new kid in town,’ my dad bought tickets to the Birmingham Stallions matchup against the Memphis Showboats. Legion Field was packed in my wide eyes, and I remember the Stallions won the game largely on the back of former Auburn great, Joe Cribbs. Somewhere, in a box of knick-knacks tucked away in a closet, I still have a plastic cup from that game… just as I’m sure Bay still has the bobblehead we picked up at a Braves game when she was fourteen. It was Family Night and she and I happened to be traveling through town and grabbed tickets. We watched ‘The Sand Lot’ on the jumbotron after the game. We laughed, drank too much Coca-Cola, ate too much candy, and went to bed with tummy aches that night. Just like when my dad and I ate too many hotdogs at the Stallions game.

Bay, Hannah and Walt at Ole Miss — Bay, Hannah and Walt Merrell at Ole Miss celebrating Game Day.

This Thanksgiving, the traditions change. Bay, now a Senior at Ole Miss is geared up for the Rebels’ Thanksgiving Day rivalry against their arch-rivals, those dreaded Mississippi State Bulldogs. And in some weird twist of sibling rivalry fate, just so happens, that Cape is now a freshman at State. It’s a long road from Lake Forest to the Stallions of Legion Field to the Detroit Lions. But it’s an even longer road to Oxford on Thanksgiving Day. Along that road, we will let go of the rutabagas, turkey, dressing, Lions football, and even deer hunting so that our two oldest girls can start a new tradition. Some years from now, I suspect that Bay and her family all clad in blue and red, and Cape and her family all adorned in maroon and white, will rendezvous at Banks’ house, where she and her family will act as Switzerland- the neutral force amongst the clash- and the Egg Bowl will forever more be a part of the Thanksgiving traditions of the Merrell clan. I’m sure Hannah and I will be there too until the Lord calls us home, and Hannah will probably bring rutabagas too. And I might even take a nap during the game. Because I’ll be content and thankful that God has blessed us abundantly. And He has you too.

“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

-Walt Merrell

A Christian Outdoorsman who writes of his adventures with his family, with the hope that others might be inspired and encouraged to embrace God’s tapestry, otherwise known as the great outdoors, as a means of finding Common Ground. You can follow him at Shepherding Outdoors on FB, YT and IG and at shepherdingoutdoors.com. His most recent book is available at shepherdingbook.com. Read his faith story at www.BirminghamChristian.com.

October 25, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Encouraging Word

As we live in the world today, there are times when we are faced with confusion, chaos, and conflict. How do we respond to these challenges? The Apostle Paul gives us three recommendations in I Thessalonians 5:16-18. He says to rejoice, pray, and give thanks.

1. Rejoice. To rejoice means to express joy. Joy is a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill His promises. Joy is deeper than happiness. Happiness is an emotion that depends on what happens. Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit from within. True joy is the confident assurance of God’s presence no matter what you are faced with.

2. Pray. After rejoicing, Paul says to pray without ceasing. This means to maintain an attitude of prayer. Prayer is communication with God when we talk and walk with Him. It produces communion with God, where we share life together, are in agreement, and have fellowship with Him. Prayer puts us in conscious contact with God and provides that vital connection with our Heavenly Father.

3. Give Thanks. After prayer, Paul encourages us to give thanks. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks…” Being grateful and having an attitude of gratitude is a powerful thing. Do you realize you can’t be negative and thankful at the same time? Try it and see.

To cope means to deal effectively with something difficult. When life gets difficult, remember Apostle Paul’s advice: to choose joy, continue to pray, and maintain a thankful heart.

-Tony Cooper

Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

October 31, 2024October 25, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Mission Makers

The Jimmie Hale Mission (JHM) started as a storefront mission to help men facing homelessness in March of 1944 and has since expanded to include three facilities (Royal Pines, Shepura Men’s Center, and Jessie’s Place) that help men, women, and children in the Birmingham area. Executive Director Perryn Carroll explains that while the mission of JHM hasn’t changed, the resources it provides have expanded. “Our mission is to transform adults directly affected by homelessness, addiction, or unhealthy living, into those who lead purposeful, self-sufficient, and productive lives for the glory of God,” Carroll shares, adding, “Our promise is to provide pathways to recovery from the root causes of homelessness and unhealthy living through our proven process of compassion, guidance and accountability grounded in Christian faith.”

Men serving meals — In 2023, the Jimmie Hale Mission served 173,025 meals to men, women, and children in need.

The History. JHM was started by Jimmie Hale who was known as the town drunk in the 1930s and early 1940s. Hale surrendered his life to Christ and had the desire to help those in similar situations. He married his wife Jessie, and they founded JHM on March 25, 1944. Just eight months later, Hale passed away. Jessie continued the mission for nearly a decade on her own until she met Leo Shepura who joined forces with her. Together, they led JHM for 36 years. Tony Cooper became the Executive Director of JHM in 1990 and faithfully served for 29 years until his retirement. He is now Director Emeritus. Carroll officially became the Executive Director in 2022 after more than 25 years of volunteering with JHM.

Jimmie Hale Mission learning center — 94% of the Jimmie Hale Mission 2023 graduates are employed and 15 clients are enrolled in college.

Reflecting on the past 80 years of serving those in need, Carroll also reflects on the faithfulness of the Lord in this ministry. “The Lord has been incredibly faithful to the obedience of JHM in serving as the hands and feet of Christ. The Lord has blessed our leadership and staff with clear vision and steadfast stamina in carrying out the Kingdom work with love and accountability to His word,” Carroll says. In 2023 alone, through the ministries of Jessie’s Place, Shepura Men’s Center, and Royal Pines, JHM served 173,025 meals, provided 56,400 safe nights of shelter, hosted 1,024 chapel and discipleship services, provided 39,024 job readiness hours, and served 644 clients with 15 of them enrolled in college.

Getting Involved. “The homelessness population is rising in our area, fueled by rising food and housing costs and the lack of access to healthcare, particularly mental healthcare,” Carroll explains, adding that the generosity of the Birmingham community continues to help JHM transform lives. There are many ways you can partner with JHM and help make a difference. Opportunities include serving and sharing a meal, mentoring a client, leading a chapel service, providing graduation and holiday bags, and more. Looking to the next 80 years and beyond, Carroll shares, “My hope is for Jimmie Hale Mission to continue operating with integrity and obedience to our Lord and Savior by providing pathways to recovery from the root causes of homelessness and unhealthy living through our proven process of compassion, guidance, and accountability grounded in Christian faith and love and governed by responsible stewardship.” To learn more about the JHM, visit www.jimmiehalemission.com.

-Melissa Armstrong

Watch the video below to learn more about Jimmie Hale Mission’s history and how you can join them in making a difference.

October 30, 2024October 25, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

The Great Outdoors

Presented by: Mark’s Outdoors

Don’t miss Mark’s Outdoors Black Friday Sales! Holiday shopping can be a hard task to face. Let the staff at Mark’s Outdoors make it easier for you with great gifts at great prices for your family and friends! We are having one of the largest Black Friday sales in our 40-year history! We are prepared to make shopping as easy as possible for you and have some terrific deals that will only be available that weekend.

Shirts from Mark's Outdoors — The staff at Mark’s Outdoors has great Black Friday savings and deals for you on apparel, game cameras, rods and reels and much more! Shop Friday November 29 and Saturday November 30, 2024.

We will have deals on firearms and optics, rods and reels, gun safes, clothing, game cameras and much much more! We plan on this being the largest Black Friday event we have ever hosted!

In the retail world, inventory is going to be scarce this Christmas season. With how backed up the supply chain is with shipping from across the world; stores will be empty going into December. Get your shopping done now and save yourself the hassle! We have Alabama’s largest knife selection and one of the best clothing selections around town! We live and breathe hunting and fishing and you can trust us to get you and your loved ones the gift that will keep on giving!

If you are considering purchasing a firearm for protection, Mark’s Outdoors staff is knowledgeable and ready to help you determine what’s best for you and your family. Currently we have both a wide selection of firearms and ammo to meet your needs. Let us help you prepare for your next adventure and make everyone on your Christmas list smile!

– Mark’s Outdoors

1400-B Montgomery Highway, Vestavia 35216

205-822- 2010, www.marksoutdoors.com

October 24, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, mollymaid.com/birmingham

I was born in Las Vegas and lived with my mother (who was a drug addict) and my older brother. I don’t remember much about those times, except that our home was unpredictable, with people coming and going. My mother got into legal trouble and began running from the law. We ended up in Idaho, where she was arrested, and I was placed in foster care. As soon as my grandparents heard, they drove from Spanish Fort, Ala. to get me, and I thrived with them. My grandparents were in their 70s and had put their retirement on hold to raise me.

Eventually, health concerns arose, and they had to move into assisted living. Mrs. Grace, a teacher at my school, encouraged them to look into Big Oak Ranch. I was unsure about another move in my life, yet my grandparents were unwavering. Grandpa said, “Please baby, this is the best option for you and for us.” Because I knew I could always trust him, I gave Big Oak a chance.

Getting settled in my new home was hard. It was a shock living with so many different personalities. I was angry and tired, but my houseparents, Tony and Rhona Osborne and my social worker, Lynn Hazard, were prepared for me and did everything in their power to help me thrive. My grandparents were unable to travel to the Ranch for visitation – so Mom and Dad Osborne took me to visit. Those moments transformed our relationship. My senior year, I drove to visit my grandparents by myself. Dad Osborne made sure my car was ready and checked all the details for the trip. They bought one of the earliest navigation systems, a TomTom, to make sure I knew exactly how to get there and exactly how to get back home. Gradually, I began to see that Big Oak would remain a constant for me. Summer activities, extracurriculars and family vacations all encouraged long-term bonds. Life became consistent, and trust slowly returned. Big Oak and my grandparents helped me learn to do life differently. While I was at the Ranch, my houseparents taught me how to forgive and let go of the bitterness from my early childhood that I had held onto. Becoming a mom of two has further allowed me to make peace with that part of my life, as I didn’t want my children to see or receive any of the anger and bitterness I carried. I have learned that life gets messy, it’s not always easy – but it is worth it.

-Kelsey Hunt

October 24, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

Jane Found on Jane Lane is a heartwarming true story of Jane, a stray dog who was found wandering on Jane Lane in Oklahoma. Tom Benz, the founder of Bridges of Faith, adopted Jane and took her to his Christian ministry for Ukrainian orphans. It was evident that Jane was special because the children at the ministry camp gravitated toward her. Animals like Jane have a unique universal trust among children. Most of the volunteers couldn’t speak the Ukrainian language to communicate but Jane had no problem.

Jane Found on Jane Lane cover — You can learn more about *Jane Found on Jane Lane* and purchase a copy of the book here.

Benz has been involved in the Ukrainian orphan ministry for over 25 years. He would bring three different groups of orphans to Alabama for a month stay three times a year. Full-time volunteers would stay at the camp and minister to these orphans. When Russia invaded Ukraine, we could no longer bring orphans to our camp in Alabama. We transitioned into doing ministry in Romania where orphanages sought safety.

I always dreamed of writing a book. As I read to my second-grade class at West Jefferson Elementary, I often saw a sparkle in their eyes as the story captivated them. I thought then, one day I would write my own children’s book. I retired from teaching in 2017 and joined the Bridges of Faith ministry. As I petted Jane one day, I realized I could tell the story of Bridges of Faith through a dog’s eyes.

Nancy hugging Jane — Rescue dog Jane is seen here enjoying time with former Birmingham teacher and author of Jane Found on Jane Lane, Nancy Benz.

So, I began writing stories of her life at the camp with the orphans and Jane Found on Jane Lane was born. I wanted my theme to highlight the power of God’s love expressed in kindness and how it can transform lives. When I’m reading my book at libraries and schools, I always tell children that sometimes all it takes is for you to give someone a simple hug or show kindness and it will brighten their day. I reinforce this idea at the end of the book where you will find Ephesians 4:32 ESV, “Be kind to one another…”

Presently, Bridges of Faith operates a school in Romania for Ukrainian orphans and other Ukrainian refugee children. A portion of the proceeds from Jane Found on Jane Lane will go to these children in Romania. The book is written in memory of David, an orphan, who came to know the love of God at Bridges of Faith. David died as a soldier in the war against Ukraine. To learn more about Jane Found on Jane Lane, visit www.servicedogjane.com.

-Nancy Long Benz

Author of Jane Found on Jane Lane

October 24, 2024 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

Would it surprise you to discover you share something in common with professional athletes? Goal Line Devotions by Del Duduit invites you to dress out and join the faith huddle with some of the NFL’s most prolific players. These men may be superstars and fantastic athletes on the field, yet at their core, they are men of faith. Men who face daily struggles and challenges, like you. Men who choose to rely on God, like you. Men who dig deep and keep their faith moving downfield toward victory. If you need inspiration to dig deep and keep moving downfield, join the team and let them inspire you to persevere.

Goal Line Devotions Cover — Find a preview of *Goal Line Devotions* here.

Sure, people want to talk about their successes on the field, but in Goal Line Devotions, it’s the stories of faith that will inspire you to be a better person every day. Learn from All-Pro and Pro-Bowl players like Jalen Ramsey, Melvin Ingram, Jessie Bates III, Trey Henrickson, and Damar Hamlin how to find strength for challenges, hope for the future, and courage to push through to victory. See how Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts shake off struggles to be victorious in life. Once you realize these athletes serve the same Lord as you and face similar challenges, you too can join the team and keep pushing, keep moving, and go for the goal line!

Author Del Duduit is an award-winning author and sportswriter and covers the NFL for his newspaper. His work has been recognized by the Ohio Associated Press and the Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association. He has covered Super Bowls as well as the Final Four and major PGA events, but he enjoys broadcasting high school football games on local radio.

Visit shop.ironstreammedia.com to learn more about Goal Line Devotions. †

Sportsmanship Kicks Off Success: Briarwood’s Coach Fred Yancey

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