08/31/2026
Thank you Coach ‘Papa’ Bill Stephens 🕊️
I’ve tried many times to think of the right words that accurately sum up what you meant to me, but I kept coming back to 2:
Thank You
Thank you for convincing a young 16 year old kid to not spend another summer running around the city chasing girls and trouble; but to instead join the Phoenix Athletics track club and commit to the sport that would change my life forever
Thank you for showing me what I was capable of if I were to ever take track & field seriously and stop skipping the workouts that had too much running in them
Thank you for coaching me to triple gold at OFSAA in 2008; a U18 World Youth 100m silver medal in 2009; and a U20 World Junior 200m bronze medal in 2010 after tearing my hamstring - amongst our many other accomplishments together
Thank you for giving me the dream of getting a full ride scholarship to a major D1 school in America and believing in my potential before I even knew what the NCAA was
Thank you for all the support that you gave to all the young track and field Birchmount and Phoenix Athletics kids that you mentored, looked out for, and coached and provided with a space to be themselves and develop into young adults
You were more than just my high school club coach to me. If it wasn’t for you, I would not be where I am today and so, I owe it all to you. I am but a small part in the legacy that you’ve left in the community after dedicating your life to the sport for decades
I’ve never been good at saying goodbye, so instead I simply say Thank you. For everything. You may be gone, but I promise you will never be forgotten. Say what’s up to Andre for me
Rest easy Bill 🕊️
