Evangel Christian School Athletics Program History
2004
Evangel Christian School began its athletic program under founding Athletic Director Steve Dean, a homeschooling father who, from 2004-2005, and 2007-2008, also served as the Lightning Head Football Coach. Coach Dean is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he played football for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, earned the first-ever "Dixie Howell Memorial Award" as the outstanding player in the 1971 A-Day game, and was a member of the 1973 national championship team.
Coach Dean led the first-year Lightning to the NACA Division II championship in their inaugural season. He coached previously at Hope Christian School in Pelham, where he also led his 2001 team to the NACA championship and was named NACA National Coach of the Year. He has also served as the soccer coach and Athletic Director of Shades Mountain Christian School in Hoover.
“For my family, home schooling has been a great blessing and one of the wisest choices that my wife and I have ever made. In the early days of home schooling, the lack of athletics was a real problem and one that really concerned me as a former college football player who believed that athletics can be one of the best ways to connect to teenage boys and a way to build discipline, work ethic and so many of the virtues that Christian parents deem important. It has come a long way and now is offered in a lot of home school programs. When we formed Evangel a couple of years ago, we wanted athletics to be an essential part of our program and we wanted it to be done as excellent as it could be done in the venue that we could offer it. We have accomplished that goal in that we have been more than competitive in football, basketball and baseball. In football, we have been fortunate enough to be one of the top 8-man programs in the Southeast, not only among home school programs but among Christian schools in general... The Evangel Christian School baseball program has been competitive and has a promising future as we have many returning varsity starters and we enter into a new conference (I.C.S.G.A) next year that will give us a full and competitive schedule… (I) am very proud of not only what we have accomplished in the first 2 years of Evangel but, more importantly in the way that we have impacted our athletes and their families. God has been faithful to raise up excellent coaches who not only know what they are doing on the field but love our student athletes and make our athletic teams fun and encouraging. I feel that we are right where we envisioned being as a school and athletic program. If I was not a part of Evangel but was interested in home schooling and having my children involved in a Christ-centered and competitive athletic program, Evangel would be my choice hands down.” -Steve Dean, 6/20/2006
On 8/16/2004, Coach Dean also appeared on the WJOX “Matt and Jay” radio show, where he discussed homeschooling and ECS as a startup program with great opportunities for homeschooling athletics. You can listen to that interview here.
The Evangel Christian School Lightning, in its inaugural year (2004-2005), fielded varsity and junior high interscholastic athletic teams in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball.
The Evangel Christian School Lightning football team competed as an independent, and ended its inaugural season by capturing the Division II national championship at the National Association of Christian Athletes playoffs in Dayton, Tennessee.
The Lightning basketball, baseball and softball teams were accepted into the Central Alabama Christian Conference (CACC) with the Varsity Basketball Teams (Boys and Girls) each securing the CACC Tournament Championship, and Baseball and Softball each placing 3rd in the CACC Tourney.
2005
In its second year (2005-2006), Evangel Christian School continued to field successful teams in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball, along with a club sport being offered in tennis.
Under the direction of Athletic Director/Head Coach, Steve Dean, the Evangel Christian School Lightning football team, participated as a founding member of the newly founded Tennessee Valley Football Conference, placed 3rd in the TVFC, while also placing 3rd in the NACA Division I 8-Man Football Tournament.
Continuing to compete as a member of the Central Alabama Christian Conference (CACC), the Varsity Basketball Teams saw their Boys Team, under Coach Mike Watford, finish as Runner-Up in the Conference Tournament, while its Girls Team, under Coach Ken Letson, secured its second consecutive Conference Tournament Championship, while it finished as Regular Season Co-Champion. Both Junior Varsity Teams had strong seasons, with the boys finishing with the best record of the four teams, and the girls finishing with an undefeated conference record.
The 2006 Lightning Varsity Baseball Team, under Coach Bill Snuggs, improved on its success, securing its first Conference Championship (CACC), while placing 3 players on the All-Conference Team with another, freshman Micah Mularski, taking the CACC Tournament MVP.
2006
2007 marked a leadership change in the Athletic Directorship of Evangel Christian School. After over three years serving as its founding Athletic Director, Steve Dean felt the Lord calling him to step down from that position, a decision that the Evangel Christian School Board accepted, though reluctantly. After much prayer, discussion, and deliberation, however, Evangel Christian School was blessed to be served in that capacity by founding Board Member, Ken Letson. Ken brings a renewed vision, wisdom and gifts to the position of Athletic Director.
Athletics at an excellent level is one of the distinctive visions of Evangel Christian School. One of the things that was learned through Coach Dean's tenure, is that in order for Evangel Christian School to take athletics to a higher level, a single Athletic Director, as a volunteer position, is hardly a job that one man can do alone.
Therefore, 2007 also gave Evangel Christian School the opportunity to introduce a new office, that of Associate Athletic Director; an office which was capably held by Mike Watford, whom God uniquely equipped and empowered to be able to handle all of the day-to-day administrative tasks of conference and financial compliance, along with relationship and program development. The two of these men serving together,, in their respective capacities maintained and accentuated the tradition of excellence begun under Coach Dean’s leadership at Evangel Christian School.
In 2006, the Lightning Varsity Football Team, under Coach Snuggs, finished as the TVFC Southern Region Champion. Also, both Lightning Varsity (under Coach Mike Ritchie), and JV Boys Basketball (under Coach Greg Mularski) teams were I.C.S.G.A West Region Champions.
2007
In late 2007, to further expand the breadth and depth of the ECS Athletics Program, an Athletic Committee was formed, comprised of Steve Dean, Stewart Motes, and Danny Scott. Soon thereafter, in order to further expand the scope and breadth of the program, Del Clayton and Robert Goodner gratefully agreed to contribute their many talents, gifts, and hours of service and rounded out the committee. With the addition of all these able men, Ken Letson was able to lessen his workload and serve as an additional member of this dedicated six-person committee.
2008
July of 2008 brought about the blessing of having Robert Goodner volunteer to serve as ECS Athletic Director. Aided by a committee comprised of expert and innovative leadership, and contributing strong and diverse talents and insights, the ECS Athletic Program carried on its traditions while continuing to look forward to new opportunities for the future.
2009-2016
In 2009, Howard O'Neal volunteered his services to the Evangel Christian School Athletics Program to serve as full-time Athletic Director. Howard has brought untold gifts of service and time and is committed to taking Lightning Athletics into the next decade. Part of that commitment has been to oversee the growth and operations of the Evangel Sports Complex, a facility donated to Evangel Church PCA for use by its schools.
2013
Added Color Guard
2014
Added Tennis and Girls Soccer as varsity sports
2015
Added a mascot, “Striker”
Added Boys Soccer as a varsity sport
December 9, 2015: AISA approves ACSC for nonconference schedule
2017
Hired first full-time athletic director, Tim Smith - For the first time in its 13-year history, Evangel Christian School has hired a full time athletic director to run its athletic program and serve as its football and baseball coach. The Alabaster-based private school made up of homeschool students has hired Tim Smith, formerly athletic director and headmaster at Cornerstone Christian School in Shelby County.
In his successful 20-year career at Cornerstone, Smith built, nurtured and grew its athletic program from scratch. He won ten AISA state championships and built an entire sports complex at Cornerstone in Wilsonville. He is also a member of the AISA Hall of Fame.
“This was a tough decision,” Smith said. “But I am one hundred percent committed and excited, and I know that God is leading me in this new direction”.
Evangel’s athletic program has been a perennial powerhouse in all sports, despite being run entirely with the leadership of volunteers. Since beginning in 2004, the school has won numerous conference, state and national championships in football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball and baseball. The school currently competes in the Alabama Christian Sports Conference and moved up from eight-man to 11-man football this past fall. The athletic program is made up of student-athletes from both Evangel Christian—the homeschool “school”—as well as Evangel Classical Christian School.
Many wondered if the recent decision by the AHSAA to allow homeschoolers to participate in public school athletics would affect a homeschool program like Evangel’s. The Lightning, however, have shown no signs of slowing down, winning championships in football, volleyball and girls’ basketball so far in 2016-17. And with the hiring of Smith as the school’s first ever full-time athletic department coach and director, the future is brighter than ever.
“We believe that the blessing of being able to hire Tim Smith further insures our commitment to provide Evangel students the opportunity to compete in athletics at the highest level,” Evangel Christian School administrator Bill Snuggs said. “This kind and humble man brings the character, experience, and skill-sets that will perfectly complement and further our program and its vision.”
Smith succeeds current volunteer athletic director, Howard O’Neal, who during his eight years of leadership oversaw Evangel’s acquisition of a sports complex and was instrumental in facilitating an agreement with the AISA for its schools to compete against Evangel and the other members of the ACSC.
“We are excited about the future of Lightning athletics,” said Snuggs, who has been the administrator at the school since its inception. “With the hiring of Coach Smith the legacy of excellence will only be strengthened as he leads Evangel into the future.”
Evangel Christian School began its athletic program under founding Athletic Director Steve Dean, a homeschooling father who, from 2004-2005, and 2007-2008, also served as the Lightning Head Football Coach. Coach Dean is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he played football for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, earned the first-ever "Dixie Howell Memorial Award" as the outstanding player in the 1971 A-Day game, and was a member of the 1973 national championship team.
Coach Dean led the first-year Lightning to the NACA Division II championship in their inaugural season. He coached previously at Hope Christian School in Pelham, where he also led his 2001 team to the NACA championship and was named NACA National Coach of the Year. He has also served as the soccer coach and Athletic Director of Shades Mountain Christian School in Hoover.
“For my family, home schooling has been a great blessing and one of the wisest choices that my wife and I have ever made. In the early days of home schooling, the lack of athletics was a real problem and one that really concerned me as a former college football player who believed that athletics can be one of the best ways to connect to teenage boys and a way to build discipline, work ethic and so many of the virtues that Christian parents deem important. It has come a long way and now is offered in a lot of home school programs. When we formed Evangel a couple of years ago, we wanted athletics to be an essential part of our program and we wanted it to be done as excellent as it could be done in the venue that we could offer it. We have accomplished that goal in that we have been more than competitive in football, basketball and baseball. In football, we have been fortunate enough to be one of the top 8-man programs in the Southeast, not only among home school programs but among Christian schools in general... The Evangel Christian School baseball program has been competitive and has a promising future as we have many returning varsity starters and we enter into a new conference (I.C.S.G.A) next year that will give us a full and competitive schedule… (I) am very proud of not only what we have accomplished in the first 2 years of Evangel but, more importantly in the way that we have impacted our athletes and their families. God has been faithful to raise up excellent coaches who not only know what they are doing on the field but love our student athletes and make our athletic teams fun and encouraging. I feel that we are right where we envisioned being as a school and athletic program. If I was not a part of Evangel but was interested in home schooling and having my children involved in a Christ-centered and competitive athletic program, Evangel would be my choice hands down.” -Steve Dean, 6/20/2006
On 8/16/2004, Coach Dean also appeared on the WJOX “Matt and Jay” radio show, where he discussed homeschooling and ECS as a startup program with great opportunities for homeschooling athletics. You can listen to that interview here.
The Evangel Christian School Lightning, in its inaugural year (2004-2005), fielded varsity and junior high interscholastic athletic teams in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball.
The Evangel Christian School Lightning football team competed as an independent, and ended its inaugural season by capturing the Division II national championship at the National Association of Christian Athletes playoffs in Dayton, Tennessee.
The Lightning basketball, baseball and softball teams were accepted into the Central Alabama Christian Conference (CACC) with the Varsity Basketball Teams (Boys and Girls) each securing the CACC Tournament Championship, and Baseball and Softball each placing 3rd in the CACC Tourney.
2005
In its second year (2005-2006), Evangel Christian School continued to field successful teams in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball, along with a club sport being offered in tennis.
Under the direction of Athletic Director/Head Coach, Steve Dean, the Evangel Christian School Lightning football team, participated as a founding member of the newly founded Tennessee Valley Football Conference, placed 3rd in the TVFC, while also placing 3rd in the NACA Division I 8-Man Football Tournament.
Continuing to compete as a member of the Central Alabama Christian Conference (CACC), the Varsity Basketball Teams saw their Boys Team, under Coach Mike Watford, finish as Runner-Up in the Conference Tournament, while its Girls Team, under Coach Ken Letson, secured its second consecutive Conference Tournament Championship, while it finished as Regular Season Co-Champion. Both Junior Varsity Teams had strong seasons, with the boys finishing with the best record of the four teams, and the girls finishing with an undefeated conference record.
The 2006 Lightning Varsity Baseball Team, under Coach Bill Snuggs, improved on its success, securing its first Conference Championship (CACC), while placing 3 players on the All-Conference Team with another, freshman Micah Mularski, taking the CACC Tournament MVP.
2006
2007 marked a leadership change in the Athletic Directorship of Evangel Christian School. After over three years serving as its founding Athletic Director, Steve Dean felt the Lord calling him to step down from that position, a decision that the Evangel Christian School Board accepted, though reluctantly. After much prayer, discussion, and deliberation, however, Evangel Christian School was blessed to be served in that capacity by founding Board Member, Ken Letson. Ken brings a renewed vision, wisdom and gifts to the position of Athletic Director.
Athletics at an excellent level is one of the distinctive visions of Evangel Christian School. One of the things that was learned through Coach Dean's tenure, is that in order for Evangel Christian School to take athletics to a higher level, a single Athletic Director, as a volunteer position, is hardly a job that one man can do alone.
Therefore, 2007 also gave Evangel Christian School the opportunity to introduce a new office, that of Associate Athletic Director; an office which was capably held by Mike Watford, whom God uniquely equipped and empowered to be able to handle all of the day-to-day administrative tasks of conference and financial compliance, along with relationship and program development. The two of these men serving together,, in their respective capacities maintained and accentuated the tradition of excellence begun under Coach Dean’s leadership at Evangel Christian School.
In 2006, the Lightning Varsity Football Team, under Coach Snuggs, finished as the TVFC Southern Region Champion. Also, both Lightning Varsity (under Coach Mike Ritchie), and JV Boys Basketball (under Coach Greg Mularski) teams were I.C.S.G.A West Region Champions.
2007
In late 2007, to further expand the breadth and depth of the ECS Athletics Program, an Athletic Committee was formed, comprised of Steve Dean, Stewart Motes, and Danny Scott. Soon thereafter, in order to further expand the scope and breadth of the program, Del Clayton and Robert Goodner gratefully agreed to contribute their many talents, gifts, and hours of service and rounded out the committee. With the addition of all these able men, Ken Letson was able to lessen his workload and serve as an additional member of this dedicated six-person committee.
2008
July of 2008 brought about the blessing of having Robert Goodner volunteer to serve as ECS Athletic Director. Aided by a committee comprised of expert and innovative leadership, and contributing strong and diverse talents and insights, the ECS Athletic Program carried on its traditions while continuing to look forward to new opportunities for the future.
2009-2016
In 2009, Howard O'Neal volunteered his services to the Evangel Christian School Athletics Program to serve as full-time Athletic Director. Howard has brought untold gifts of service and time and is committed to taking Lightning Athletics into the next decade. Part of that commitment has been to oversee the growth and operations of the Evangel Sports Complex, a facility donated to Evangel Church PCA for use by its schools.
2013
Added Color Guard
2014
Added Tennis and Girls Soccer as varsity sports
2015
Added a mascot, “Striker”
Added Boys Soccer as a varsity sport
December 9, 2015: AISA approves ACSC for nonconference schedule
2017
Hired first full-time athletic director, Tim Smith - For the first time in its 13-year history, Evangel Christian School has hired a full time athletic director to run its athletic program and serve as its football and baseball coach. The Alabaster-based private school made up of homeschool students has hired Tim Smith, formerly athletic director and headmaster at Cornerstone Christian School in Shelby County.
In his successful 20-year career at Cornerstone, Smith built, nurtured and grew its athletic program from scratch. He won ten AISA state championships and built an entire sports complex at Cornerstone in Wilsonville. He is also a member of the AISA Hall of Fame.
“This was a tough decision,” Smith said. “But I am one hundred percent committed and excited, and I know that God is leading me in this new direction”.
Evangel’s athletic program has been a perennial powerhouse in all sports, despite being run entirely with the leadership of volunteers. Since beginning in 2004, the school has won numerous conference, state and national championships in football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball and baseball. The school currently competes in the Alabama Christian Sports Conference and moved up from eight-man to 11-man football this past fall. The athletic program is made up of student-athletes from both Evangel Christian—the homeschool “school”—as well as Evangel Classical Christian School.
Many wondered if the recent decision by the AHSAA to allow homeschoolers to participate in public school athletics would affect a homeschool program like Evangel’s. The Lightning, however, have shown no signs of slowing down, winning championships in football, volleyball and girls’ basketball so far in 2016-17. And with the hiring of Smith as the school’s first ever full-time athletic department coach and director, the future is brighter than ever.
“We believe that the blessing of being able to hire Tim Smith further insures our commitment to provide Evangel students the opportunity to compete in athletics at the highest level,” Evangel Christian School administrator Bill Snuggs said. “This kind and humble man brings the character, experience, and skill-sets that will perfectly complement and further our program and its vision.”
Smith succeeds current volunteer athletic director, Howard O’Neal, who during his eight years of leadership oversaw Evangel’s acquisition of a sports complex and was instrumental in facilitating an agreement with the AISA for its schools to compete against Evangel and the other members of the ACSC.
“We are excited about the future of Lightning athletics,” said Snuggs, who has been the administrator at the school since its inception. “With the hiring of Coach Smith the legacy of excellence will only be strengthened as he leads Evangel into the future.”
Evangel Christian School History of Athletic Conference Involvement
During its first two years (2004-2006), Evangel Christian School participated in the Central Alabama Christian Conference for basketball, baseball, and softball. Being invited into CACC membership in its first year (2004-2005) was an honor that Evangel Christian School didn’t take lightly. Since most schools in the CACC had not yet established football programs, Evangel Christian School played its first season (2004) as an independent, and in its second football season (2005) in the TVFC (Tennessee Valley Football Conference. The Athletic Department of Evangel Christian School had hoped through its involvement in the CACC to continue to grow and develop football in that conference, but since this became increasingly unrealistic, in its second year (2005-2006), Evangel Christian School helped form and participated in the aforementioned TVFC (Tennessee Valley Football Conference), which it was instrumental, under the leadership of Athletic Director, Steve Dean, to form with other schools in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. in football.
In May of 2006, due to attrition of other CACC member schools, Evangel Christian School prayerfully considered, pursued and accepted the opportunity to compete in a larger, more comprehensive, and established association, the Independent Christian Schools of Georgia and Alabama Athletic Association (I.C.S.G.A), est. 1993. The I.C.S.G.A is philosophically aligned with Evangel Christian School, in its attempt to glorify God through athletic competition, and Evangel Christian School participated as an I.C.S.G.A member from 2006-2008.
In 2009, in an attempt to align itself with a conference comprised of more local schools, and dedicated to home school and traditional school athletics, Evangel Christian School began its current affiliation with the Alabama Christian Sports Conference (ACSC). Affiliation with the ACSC enabled Evangel Christian School to renew relationships with some of the schools with which it previously competed under the CACC. Additionally, the ACSC, enabled Evangel Christian School to receive the long-sought blessing of establishing strong and healthy competitive relationships with more local schools. The ACSC also provides the opportunity to compete with traditional schools and seeks to honor both of these methods of education under one balanced conference. It seeks the glory of God as its transcendent principle of operation.
In December of 2015, the Alabama Independent Schools Association (AISA) voted unanimously to allow its member schools to compete against ACSC member schools in non-conference play, effective spring 2016 and ongoing.
In May of 2006, due to attrition of other CACC member schools, Evangel Christian School prayerfully considered, pursued and accepted the opportunity to compete in a larger, more comprehensive, and established association, the Independent Christian Schools of Georgia and Alabama Athletic Association (I.C.S.G.A), est. 1993. The I.C.S.G.A is philosophically aligned with Evangel Christian School, in its attempt to glorify God through athletic competition, and Evangel Christian School participated as an I.C.S.G.A member from 2006-2008.
In 2009, in an attempt to align itself with a conference comprised of more local schools, and dedicated to home school and traditional school athletics, Evangel Christian School began its current affiliation with the Alabama Christian Sports Conference (ACSC). Affiliation with the ACSC enabled Evangel Christian School to renew relationships with some of the schools with which it previously competed under the CACC. Additionally, the ACSC, enabled Evangel Christian School to receive the long-sought blessing of establishing strong and healthy competitive relationships with more local schools. The ACSC also provides the opportunity to compete with traditional schools and seeks to honor both of these methods of education under one balanced conference. It seeks the glory of God as its transcendent principle of operation.
In December of 2015, the Alabama Independent Schools Association (AISA) voted unanimously to allow its member schools to compete against ACSC member schools in non-conference play, effective spring 2016 and ongoing.
