After a Bolivar second-grader lost his father just before Christmas, the Skyline High School boys basketball team – unprompted – welcomed Jud Blair to its roster this past season, inviting him to sit on the Tigers’ bench during varsity games in a thrilling season that reached the Class 2 state quarterfinals. At one point, they even had him accept their district championship trophy.
Thus, the Tigers’ act of kindness will be rewarded, as Skyline will receive the Inspiration Award during the Sports Commission Awards presented by Elliot Lodging and Blevins Asphalt. The ceremony, set for 6 p.m. June 17 at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, is a high school awards show that honors the top southwest Missouri athletes and teams from the 2018-2019 school year.
“Skyline’s boys basketball team showed us what sports are supposed to be about, inspiring all of us to try to treat everybody with kindness,” said Lance Kettering, Executive Director of the Springfield Sports Commission, whose organization is partnering with the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on the event.
Among the highlights of Jud’s time with Skyline was the night when the Tommy Egan-coached Tigers won the Class 2 District 13 championship against previously unbeaten (22-0) Adrian. After the game, players spotted Jud hanging out behind the huddle but sent him out to accept the trophy.
“It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision,” said forward Chris Logan, one of four junior starters. “We don’t have a senior on the team, so who else better than him?”
“The Skyline boys stepped into Jud’s life at a pivotal moment,” said Mary Blair, Jud’s mother. “They gave us all something to smile about in our most difficult days. I could never repay those boys and the entire community for what they did for Jud. There’s no one more deserving of this award than them. I’m eternally thankful.”
Jud and Jaylee’s father, Justin, passed away at age 39 on Dec. 23. Their uncle is Jason Blair, a Skyline assistant basketball coach. To help Jud cope, the assistant coach invited him to the team’s bench during a Blue & Gold Tournament game against Class 5 Republic. Skyline nearly threw the upset before Republic pulled away in the fourth quarter for the win.
“After that first game,” junior shooting guard Dax Beem said, “we were like, ‘Jud, come on back. We’d love to have you here.’”
The team embraced Jud throughout the rest of the season, saving him a spot on the team bus, handing him a Skyline basketball T-shirt and letting him hand out water bottles and basketballs during games. The varsity roster also included sophomores Trey Swearingin, Austin Craig, Jordan Rowland, Anontio Irizarry as well as freshmen Kourt Cheek, Jaytin DeFreece, Lawson Beem, Zack Williams, Garrett Salley, Landyn Crawford, Nate Leslie and Dawson Pitts.
“Jud was just a huge inspiration for us,” Gage Gunter said.
Said center Ethan Edwards, “The first time I met Jud, I could tell we were going to be glad to have him around.”
Said Connor Logan, “He was a joy to be around.”
Chris Logan put it this way: “When you were tired and wanting to quit and you see that kid smiling over on the side, you’d tell yourself, ‘I can get through this.’”
Coach Blair still cannot say enough about the players.
“A kid Jud’s age, that’s big-time,” Blair said. “They just really took him in.”
Skyline’s recognition will come on a night when the Sports Commission Awards recognizes more than 100 southwest Missouri high school athletes. There are 28 categories, including 24 sports, as well as categories for Girls Team of the Year, Boys Team of the Year, Girls Athlete of the Year, Boys Athlete of the Year, Marching Band, Cheerleading and Dance Team. All are chosen by a selection committee. A list finalists so far can be found at www.mosportshalloffame.com. For tickets, call 417-889-3100.
