UPDATE: For the 2011 season, Steven Nichols coached the 6thgrade Colts this year in Mtn. Brook’s little league. They won the regular season championship, going undefeated… perfect 8-0 record. Unfortunately, they lost by 1 pt. in the semifinals of the playoffs, and missed the chance to go to the super bowl. Still a great season – for Steven and his players.
Steven and his sixth grade league champion team
Steven has loved football for as long as he can remember. Steven played youth football from third through sixth grade with the Mountain Brook Youth League and won a championship game in fourth grade and made it to the Super Bowl in sixth grade. Those early experiences stayed with Steven into his adult life developing a strong relationship with his youth football coach, Coach Pruitt. But the ties are even stronger. In fourth grade, Steven played alongside his best friend who is now his brother-in-law.
In his third year of law school at the University of Alabama, Steven volunteered to coach a youth football team – the Northport Wildcats. Steven was hooked. Upon returning to Birmingham to begin his career, Steven returned to Mountain Brook youth football as a coach. Steven began coaching a group of third grade boys. Together with his best friend and brother-in-law, Steven has stayed with those same boys who are now in fifth grade. Together, they coach youth football in the same community where they grew up and played…..right beside Coach Pruitt who is still coaching.
According to Steven, “Football is the ultimate team sport. A kid might not be the best athlete, but quickly learns that every player and position is crucial and has value.” This is the philosophy that Steven uses to teach more than football skills; he instills the importance of giving 100% effort 100% of the time, of picking up a team mate when they are down, and the importance of being a team player. “Football is a way to build up a kid, give them confidence and demonstrate the leadership skills they will need to be successful in school and in life.”
Football isn’t the only factor that influenced Steven in his youth. In grade school, Steven became friends with a child with special needs. As the boys matured and entered high school, the friendship continued. Steven would take his friend to Brave’s games, and to lunch at Gus’ Hot Dogs. The boys remained friends through college with his friend visiting Steven and attending Alabama football games. The friendship continues today.
It was through this relationship that Steven first became aware of the Exceptional Foundation – a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the social and recreational needs of mentally and physically challenged individuals in the greater Birmingham area. The Exceptional Foundation currently serves over 350 individuals in its various year-round programs allowing participants to experience life’s opportunities by providing social and recreational activities that they would not otherwise be fortunate enough to experience.
Steven and his wife, Frances, have served on the junior board for several years and Steven has played a leadership role in the annual Chili Cook-Off held each spring. Last year’s Cook-Off was attended by more than 5,000 people with all proceeds going directly to The Exceptional Foundation programs. Steven and his team from Christian & Small did not win the contest, but have been perfecting their recipe. They are ready for the 2011 Chili Cook-Off and look forward to serving their new and improved recipe.
When not perfecting his chili recipe or designing football plays, Steven volunteers to referee basketball games at the Exceptional Foundation.
