CHS baseball field named for late coach, Chuck Stevens

Photo courtesy of CHS Booster Club

Photo courtesy of CHS Booster Club

By WIll Hyland, Sports Editor

After an incredible coaching career former CHS baseball head coach and football assistant coach Chuck Stevens is being honored with the CHS baseball field being named after him.

 

The ceremony that officially named the baseball field in the honor of Chuck Stevens took place  Sept. 17. Many alumni were present and retold some of their best memories of Stevens. In addition, during the CHS football game against Gaithersburg HS, video honoring Stevens was shown at halftime.

 

Stevens founded CHS baseball in 1964 and coached the team for 25 years, accumulating 214 total wins during his career. Stevens won CHS’ lone state title in 1979 and won county championships in 1978 and 1979.

 

Stevens also served as an assistant coach for CHS football helping to lead them to their only state championships in 1976 and 1977 during his 23 year tenure. After retiring in 1990, Stevens was inducted into the Maryland State Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Churchill Hall of Fame in its inaugural year in 1995.

 

“The impact Chuck Stevens had on Churchill athletics can’t be overstated,” organizer Scott Sorkin said. “He was one of the first teachers and coaches hired when the school opened in 1964.  He is among the most admired, respected and successful teachers and coaches the school has ever seen.  He set the standard for how coaches should treat, teach, lead and inspire their players and his teams always played hard, smart and tough and with great fundamentals.”  

 

Sorkin, a former dominant pitcher for CHS from 1984 to 1986, feels Stevens had a tremendous influence on him and many other athletes both on and off the field during his career.

 

“He had a positive impact on me in so many ways,” Sorkin said. “He had a tremendous influence on my baseball career, teaching me the mechanics, fundamentals and mental game of pitching. He truly cared about each of his students/players. He would do anything for his students/players and as result they wanted to perform and do anything for him.”

 

The ceremony that officially named the baseball field in the honor of Chuck Stevens took place  Sept. 17. Many alumni were present and retold some of their best memories of Stevens. In addition, during the CHS football game against Gaithersburg HS, a video honoring Stevens was shown at halftime.

 

“The outpouring of support and positive feedback that occurred when the field naming was announced was awesome,” Sorkin said. “I received so many messages and handwritten letters from alumni from all decades. He was universally loved. Everyone thought it was a fitting tribute and honor for a great man, and long overdue.”