Clint Blevins
2007
Champion of Life
College Scholarship Award Winner

Senior Varsity Baseball Player Arab High School

Clint with his Mother, Vicky, and Coach Phil Puccio

In March of this year we received the most compelling letter of nomination from Clint's Coach, Phil Puccio, Head Varsity Baseball Coach for Arab High School.  He let us know that Clint was a very deserving young man who had overcome several obstacles, in recent months.  His Mother was diagnosed with cancer and under went in-depth surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.  Some time later she was re-diagnosised and faced more surgery.  Just before her surgery Clint's father passed away succumbing to the effects of alcoholism.  Clint was in the starting line up the day after burying his father because he knew his teammates needed him. He has been a strong inspiration to his teammates and coach.

The following is a quote from Coach Puccio about Clint, "I have known Clint for 6 years, having coached him on the baseball field the last two.  He is a leader, on and off the field.  His 3.697 GPA shows that he is more than just an athlete, excelling both on the field and in the classroom.  His maturity, discipline, and attention to detail are a few of the characteristics that set him apart."  

Clint is a recently graduated Senior from Arab High School.  A 2 year starter, in left field.   He is also a factor on the mound with 1 win and 1 save on the year.  Clint is third on the team in batting average, third in runs-batted in, and tied for second in home-runs.  Clint will be attending Snead State Jr. College (Alabama).  He would welcome the opportunity the continue his baseball career.   

It is an honor to add Clint to our list of Scholarship Winners!   

Hang in there, Clint, and KEEP THE FAITH!  

Sincerely, Alex Avram

Website Sports Writer

alex@athleteskickincancer.com

The Interview With Clint

1. When did you first learn of your mother's illness and what was her diagnosis?   My Mother was  first diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma after a hysterectomy in October of  2001, which later spread to her left lung in 2004 and once again in the right lung in 2007. 2. What were your first thoughts and feelings? When I first found out about my mother’s cancer I was initially scared. I have heard all kinds of stories about cancer Patients and not many turn out well so it really got to me. But I started praying and I got all kinds of support from the rest of my family and friends which helped me out a lot though this time.

3. Clint, I know your parents were divorced and you recently lost your Dad. Did this happen close

to your Mother's diagnosis?  We got the news that my dad has passed away a week before my Mom’s  surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung.

4. In view of these life changing events, anyone could understand if you wanted to quit baseball due to lack of focus but you didn't.  What kept you going?  Well for one I knew that my mom was urging me to keep playing and didn’t want me to take away from my schedule just because she was sick. She wanted me to do what I loved the most and that’s play ball, and also I didn’t want to let my teammates down because I knew how much everyone wanted me there.
5. Was your family supportive of you continuing to play baseball during this serious time, in your Mother's life, and if so, how?     My family was very supportive  of me continuing playing baseball during this time. My mom was even considering postponing her last surgery because she didn’t want to miss me play any games because she loved it so much. Doctors recommended that she not wait to have the surgery;  but  as soon as she was physically able to come and watch me, even if she didn’t feel the  greatest, she was back out there watching me.

6. How have your teammates and Coach helped you during this time in your life?  My teammates and coach have both been a great help during this time. I had friends from the team come visit my mother with me in the hospital after her surgery and everything. And I feel like I can talk to coach Puccio about anything he’s a great guy and I know has always been there for me when I needed him.

7. How has playing the sport of baseball specifically helped you through these tough times, in your life?     Playing baseball really just helped me relax and get my mind off of everything. Nobody is going to get anything out of stressing over something like that. You need something to free your mind and that’s what baseball did for me.

8. How important do you feel playing sports is to young people and why?   I feel that playing sports is very important for young people. I think that it keeps you focused on that,  instead  of having all this free time where you might start making bad decisions such as drinking, drugs, violence etc.

9. What advise would you give to any other athlete who has to face a serious family illness while trying to maintain their focus on their sport?  Do what I did and look to God. Even if you have no one else to run to he will always help you through your struggles.

10. What is your Mother's current diagnosis and how is her health today?

Because my mother’s diagnosis is a rare type of cancer that doesn’t respond to chemotherapy or radiation, she hasn’t had to struggle with the symptoms of that. Her cancer is a surgical cancer, which means she is completely healthy unless it shows back up. So now she is healthy and feeling well, and planning on going back to work.