THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2009
SPORTS
3B
STUCKEY (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
see a thing, all they could do was listen and believe.
"I just realized the amount of faith it takes to walk and not know where you are going." Stuckey said. "And to act in such a way and not know where the finish line is and when it's coming."
Weston White/KANSAN
The lesson clearly resonated as the two reached the top of the tower solely by virtue of instructions shouted below. It had never been done before.
Darrell Stuckey prays with a group of Christian athletes at an FCAIA meeting March 3 in the Burge Union.
The funny thing about that week, Stuckey says, is that it had a lot to do with why he became a Jayhawk. After agreeing to attend the FCA leadership camp, Stuckey was invited back to Lawrence for a three-day camp during the same time that would test speed and agility as well as conduct various drills. Unsure what to do, he called a then-prospective coach Mark Mangino in hopes to at least attend his camp's first day.
ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
Darrell Stuckey uses his faith to lead both on and off the field. He is a member and ambassador of Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Action and expects to lead Kansas' defense in 2009.
So was Stuckey, at the outset. He was at or near the top of each testing category but a strained quadriceps muscle would keep him out of afternoon drills and send him to camp with a heavy heart.
"One of the first impressions I had of Coach Mangino was that he told me, "You can never have too much leadership." Stuckey said. "He greeted me in stretching by saying he respected my going to the leadership camp and was glad I came for that one day."
"I left there with a burden on me." Stuckey said. "When I went to that FCA camp I was down and it kind of hit me that football doesn't last forever."
Suddenly this all-state recruit needed healing.
--combined with another student- athlete ministry, Athletes in Action, and now calls itself "ECAIA." Once a gathering of eight athletes, the group grew to nearly 60 at one point and consistently draws 25 to 30 weekly members, said Green, who filled the head position when Baines graduated.
Michelle Foulks, Stuckey's mother, chckles when reminiscing about her son before he grew into a 6-foot-1, 205-pound All-Big 12 safety.
"Growing up, Darrell was always a very ambitious kid who would do and try anything." Foulks said. "He even taught himself to do back hand flips ... on a hill."
Since the day he and each of his siblings could walk, faith was strong in Stuckey's household. Raised by a single mother in a family built on sacrifices, beliefs outweighed excuses for Stuckey.
"The kids were always interested in church growing up," Foulks said. "They were involved with plays, poems and choir at all times. Darrell volunteered a lot and was given a lot of leading roles."
Today Stuckey still finds himself filling those roles. He was the only Kansas player to earn a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2008 and cemented himself in Jayhawk lore with a commanding performance last November against Missouri. Off the field there are just as many nights like one Friday last month when he当ned a coaching headset and suit for a Young Adult Ministry fashion show fundraiser. (He was modeling his business attire look.)
When it comes to game days, if his mother is not in the stands then Stuckey's likely not in the stadium.
Stuckey said he could count on one hand the times his mother had missed a game — she attended all 13 last year — whether during his career with Kansas or at Washington High where he also played basketball and baseball, ran track and wrestled at one point.
"I wouldn't feel right moving across the country to where shed be limited to how many games she could see," Stuckey said.
Even that may not have stopped her.
One day while she coached Stuckey in basketball, Foulks noticed a number of kids getting dropped off at the court alone. They had nobody to watch them play.
--combined with another student- athlete ministry, Athletes in Action, and now calls itself "ECAIA." Once a gathering of eight athletes, the group grew to nearly 60 at one point and consistently draws 25 to 30 weekly members, said Green, who filled the head position when Baines graduated.
"I never wanted my kids to feel unwanted," foulls said.
Lord, if it's Your will for me to play college football then let Your will be done. Regardless of what Your decision is and my opportunities are, I will always do Your will.
This is what Stuckey prayed the night he reached the top of that tower at the FCA camp — a prayer partly responsible for why he wears crimson and blue on fall Saturdays and runs sound for Ninth Street Baptist on Sundays.
"A Light in darkness" is what John Shore told Stuckey he saw when they first met. Shore, who recently retired as the Greater Kansas City multi-area director for FCA, began a relationship with Stuckey that led to numerous public speaking endeavors as a representative with FCA.
Acommunications studies major, Stuckey continues to entrench himself in on the job training with a slew of speaking engagements ranging from his alma mater to schools in the Lawrence area.
"I've worked with youths for 30 years and have never met a finer young man," Shore said. "He's a great leader and has an infectious smile and demeanor. He always looks at the bright side of life and the best of everyone."
On the last night of that FCA camp. Stuckey gave a testimony about overcoming his injury and the uncertainties he came to camp with. Sports are played on faith, he said, knowing that any play could be your last.
"it's about knowing that if I use the opportunities and gifts God gave me to play this sport," Stuckey said, "then I can do his will on an even bigger stage and be seen by more believers or non-believers than imaginable."
Shortly after that testimony Stuckey would go to his room to pray as he faced an enormous life decision. That camp was right on time, he would say.
--combined with another student- athlete ministry, Athletes in Action, and now calls itself "ECAIA." Once a gathering of eight athletes, the group grew to nearly 60 at one point and consistently draws 25 to 30 weekly members, said Green, who filled the head position when Baines graduated.
Michelle Foulks was on her way to pick her son up from William Jewell's campus when she got the call — actually a barrage of calls.
It was Stuckey's football coach, Darwin Franklin. Kansas had called and offered a scholarship.
No cell phones were allowed at camp that week so Foulks would have to deliver the news herself.
When she arrived, Stuckey was still saying goodbye to friends and she wanted to wait until they were alone.
Walking back to the car, Foulks let it spill.
"Darrell, KU offered you a scholarship."
Silence. .. Darrell continued walking until it clicked.
"What do I do, Momma?" he asked one day while she was fixing something to eat.
Back at home Stuckey let the news sink in as he researched Kansas and other potential schools. His mother kept her distance from his recruiting process, offering advice when it was sought.
"Really? A full scholarship?!"
"Do whatever you want," she told him. "Whatever you do I support."
Stuckey returned in a few hours with a decision.
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS
Today: Kansas pro day
Wednesday: Practice open to public, 3:30 p.m.
March 27: Practice open to public, 3:30 p.m.
April 1 1: Spring game,
2 p.m.
Check the "Through the Uprights" blog for more on the start of spring practice.
"Momma, I think I'm going to commit."
"Why?" she replied matter-of-factly.
Foulks said Stuckey enthusiastically "rambled" on about his findings on Kansas. New coach, resurgent program, Big 12 North, close to home. He could have continued..
"Okay," she answered. "That's a blessing."
--combined with another student- athlete ministry, Athletes in Action, and now calls itself "ECAIA." Once a gathering of eight athletes, the group grew to nearly 60 at one point and consistently draws 25 to 30 weekly members, said Green, who filled the head position when Baines graduated.
Shore's advice to Stuckey before college included starting a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter in Lawrence, where one had been absent for years. With connections to Shore and Kevin Wade, a former Kansas long snapper and current part time FCA field representative, Stuckey arrived on campus with those ambitions in mind.
But first he had to connect with his new teammates — something the outgoing Stuckey had no trouble with. Early in his freshman year, Stuckey was invited to a weekly men's Bible study by the group's leader, then-cornerback Theo Baines. Defensive tackle James McClinton, a team captain as a senior in 2007, and wide receiver Gary Green, who completed his senior season in 2008, also held leadership roles.
"One thing I noticed right away that we connected with was his work ethic," Green said. "It's easier to follow someone who does the same things themselves. Stuckey's a man of integrity."
Today, that group has since grown into an FCA chapter that
FCAIA meets each Tuesday night in the Burge Union and gathers with a similar group from Haskell University once a month. And while Stuckey has maintained a consistent presence as an ambassador and member, his extensive activities, including the Chancellor Advisory Committee and Student Athlete Advisory Committee, have kept him from administrative duties with FCAIA.
"It was one of those things where I had the tools to build it but it wasn't for me to build," Stuckey said. "At first it kind of hurt me. I was like, 'Man, I helped start this but I'm not looked at as one of the main people.' But the whole reality check is realizing that some things are meant for you to do and some things are meant for others."
Though he may not wear a label as an FCA leader, his influence does not go undetected by those he encounters.
"He embodies a sense of what FCA is all about," Wade said. "Influence is the same thing Darrell brings to the equation at KU. I've never come in contact with anyone that doesn't know he's a Christian athlete."
In 2009, the Jayhawk defense is Stuckey's to lead. Entering his senior year as the top returning tackler (98 in 2008), he has started every game since earning the nod the last four games of his freshman year in 2006. Since then, Stuckey has bested each previous season in nearly every major defensive stat category.
In terms of both leadership and defensive numbers, Mangino is hoping for a continuation of that trend.
"He is a developing leader on
He was called down to be recognized for his Chick-fil-A Big 12 Community of Champions award. One student athlete for each Big 12 institution during the fall, winter and spring terms is chosen, judged on academics, community service and leadership/sportsmanship.
--our team," Mangiro said. "Wed like to see a more active role in his development of leadership. Darrrell is very intelligent, an articulate speaker and is respected by his teammates and coaches. We all feel like he has a lot more to offer in terms of leadership this year."
Back upstairs, Stuckey closes his eyes, rests a hand in each pocket and directs his face to the ceiling for a final prayer. As church concludes, Pastor White asks one more thing of the congregation.
He never could get that entire sermon to record. But at least that morning wasn't like the time he welcomed a few kids up there for a tour. As he looked away momentarily, one opened a pinball game on the computer and the clinks and clanks of its sound effects bounced out of the church's speakers for 10 minutes.
"Oh, no." Stuckey sighed.
"Amen," Stuckey replied with a nod.
Had the cassette worked on this Sunday, it would have recorded a sermon that concluded much like Mangino's pregame speeches during his program's resurgence. From the book of Matthew: "A house divided against itself shall not stand."
"Look at him, acting all shy," Pastor White said as Stuckey approached the floor. "We all know there ain't nothing shy about Stuckey."
It would have also captured a rare moment of bashfulness from a man known for just the opposite.
And while high praise will be afforded to the player who'll help lead a young defense on Saturdays, as Stuckey retreated back to the sound booth Pastor White was sure to emphasize his accolades accrued on other days of the week.
"One more thing before we start benediction," Pastor Delmar White said. "Stuckey, Darrell Stuckey. Yes, you up there!"
Obeying his pastor, or perhaps concluding the service as he would normally, Stuckey embraces two individuals near him.
"Jesus loves you and so do I," he says. "And there ain't nothing you can do about it."
— Edited by Susan Melgren
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