Staff Reporter



There may have been softball and baseball games being played Thursday at Tyler Consolidated, but they were far from being the main event.

In an emotional and heartfelt ceremony, the late Courtney Evans was honored before the first pitch of the varsity game between the Silver Knights and John Marshall.

Evans was the only baseball player in the history of Tyler Consolidated to be selected to the first team all-state, an honor he earned in 1995, a magical year that saw the Silver Knights win their one and only sectional championship.

His life was tragically cut short last summer in a car accident in which he and one of his sons, Sawyer, died. The collision was the result of a drunk driver.

In honoring Evans, a presentation took place as his mother Joan and wife Sheena unveiled a sign that was hung up on the backstop behind home place with his name, number and all-state accomplishment.

The event was attended by many and showed some unexpected true class acts. John Marshall’s baseball team lined up along the third base line and both Tyler Consolidated and Ritchie County opted to pause their softball game to come over and watch the events unfold.

Current head coach Howard Meeks and former head coach Mark Barnhardt shared a few words about Evans and his contributions before mentioning that a scholarship will be set up in his honor to be awarded to a senior student athlete for the Silver Knights looking forward to continue his or her education. It will first be awarded for the 2009 season.

“I was just so humbled for the size of the crowd that came out, because we really didn’t advertise this,” said Coach Meeks.

“Coach Barnhardt, the coach of Courtney’s team that won the sectional in 1995, was able to make it and came and said a few words.

Money for the scholarship will be raised during a golf tournament that takes place at Mingo Bottom golf course in Elizabeth near the beginning of August. It was mentioned that those wishing to contribute do not have to play golf as they can make a donation as well.

While the ceremony easily drew tears on the faces of family and friends who came out onto the field for the unveiling, perhaps nothing was more touching than what took place near the end when John Evans, Courtney’s second son, ran out onto the field.

Call it what you want, whether it be divine intervention, an angel in the outfield, or merely a coincidence, but without any encouragement at all, John ran straight to center field, just as his father did 13-years prior.

As a result, pictures were taken and cameras were rolling to make sure the moment would be captured.

Afterwards the game was played as scheduled with the Monarchs defeating the Silver Knights 14-4 in five innings, but it didn’t seem to matter.

It all took a backseat to Courtney Evans who was a king of the field in his own right, and one beloved by his family and friends.

“Everything just fell together. The weather was nice and so many of Courtney’s family and friends came out to see this.

“Then watching his son run out into center field, I think Courtney knew about this.”