In loving memory
Soccer community honors legacy of local youth coach
Stephen Champlin never let his seven-year battle with melanoma affect his devotion to his family and the community.
Champlin, who passed away on Aug. 16 at the age of 38, served as a coach and was the treasurer of the Fayette County Youth Soccer Club. Despite having skin cancer, Champlin continued his work with young soccer players in the area.
Champlin’s life was celebrated Wednesday night prior to Laurel Highlands’ girls soccer match against Albert Gallatin at Mustang Field on the campus of Laurel Highlands High School.
Both teams wore T-shirts that honored Champlin during warmups, and members of the Fayette County Youth Soccer Club were welcomed on the field to work with the home club.
The Colonials and Mustangs were joined by members of the Fayette County Youth Soccer Club and Champlin’s family for a moment of silence prior to the national anthem, which was sung by Champlin’s father, Jim, and his sister, Liz Quairiere.
Laurel Highlands public address announcer Jason Taylor read a statement that was prepared by Mustangs assistant coach Kayla Swaney.
Taylor presented the following to those in attendance: “Before tonight’s match begins, we ask everyone to join us in recognizing someone who meant so much to our local soccer community.
“Stephen Champlin was a coach, a father, a husband, a friend, and a passionate advocate for youth soccer. For seven years, Stephen courageously battled melanoma while continuing to pour his time, energy, and love into his family and his community.
“Tonight, we honor his memory and celebrate the impact he made on so many young athletes. We are honored to welcome Stephen’s wife and children onto the field tonight, along with members of the Fayette County Youth Soccer Club — a soccer family Stephen cared so deeply about.
“Tonight is about remembering Stephen, honoring his life, and celebrating the legacy he leaves behind. As a soccer community, we stand together with the Champlin family. Tonight’s 50/50 proceeds will be donated to Stephen’s family in his memory.”
Swaney was pleased with the event, and expressed her appreciation for Champlin and what he meant to young soccer players in the area.
“I think the event had a great turn out,” Swaney said. “It was absolutely wonderful seeing all of the youth on the field with our high school team, having fun and coming together, and that’s what community is all about.
“These kids idolized Stephen, and I think it was a cool experience for them to be front and center to honor his memory. Sarah, Abram, and Isaiah are so strong and will continue to honor Stephen’s legacy by strengthening local youth programs.”
Anyone who would like to contribute in assisting are asked to contact Stephen’s wife, Sarah, at Champlinsoccerlegacy@gmail.com
Albert Gallatin head coach Justin Cerullo had plenty of emotions on Wednesday, as the Colonials edged the Mustangs, 1-0, which put his team in position to earn a playoff spot for the first time in program history, and Champlin was a family member.
“One of the things that made tonight even more special was the fact that the individual who was honored, Stephen Champlin, is my brother-in-law,” Cerullo said. “Ironically, when I coached the boys team at Albert Gallatin, and it’s been a minute, approximately 15 years ago, we actually got one against Laurel Highlands, and Stephen was my assistant at the time. There were a lot of different emotions going on tonight.”