Then, the coach introduced his Hough High team to a young man they had only heard about. Seven-year-old Grier Christenbury, who has battled cancer for more than half his life, is the inspiration for the eight-team Hough Soccer Invitational the Huskies will host Saturday, and Smith wanted his players to know him before the event that will benefit pediatric cancer research through the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Foundation. The team posed with Grier for a photo, and meeting him helped put the event —and life — in perspective.
“You feel for them,” says Hough defender Mace Timberlake. “It’s something nobody or any parent should have to go through.”
Meeting Grier was an emotional experience for Hough’s Cheyn Roux, who has had a cousin and close friend battle the disease. Roux has viewed life differently as he’s matured and processed the difficulties of a bout with cancer.
“It affected me when I was much older,” says Roux, who was a child when those close to him were diagnosed. “It affected me recently.”
Grier is the son of Jeff and Amy Christenbury, two of Smith’s friends from his high school (West Charlotte) and college (UNC-Wilmington) days. Having seen the impact of the disease on his friends and their young son, Smith wanted to help the pediatric cancer cause using what he knows best — soccer.
“He’s a super-duper kid,” says Smith. “He’s got the greatest perspective. He’s such a neat kid.”
Smith researched foundations and discovered Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which began when a mother raised money for her child’s medical expenses by having a series of bake sales. On Saturday, cookies baked by Hough players’ parents will be for sale along the main concourse of the stadium behind the stands and press box. That money, along with $2 from every $7 admission ticket (which includes all games), will go to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. The timing of the event is also noteworthy. September, among many other things, is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
Four years ago, Grier was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nerve tissue and one of the most common to affect children. His family launched the Web site www.gogriergo.com to keep friends and family members updated on his condition, and Smith says Grier has endured his treatments — many of them out of state — with an inspiring resolve.
“It’s amazing how tough he is,” says Smith. “I was telling the guys that, and he’s just sitting there grinning. He acts like it’s no big deal.”
Saturday’s soccer action will begin with Ardrey Kell facing T.C. Roberson at 3 p.m. Mallard Creek and Mt. Tabor will play at 4:45, with a match between Myers Park and Marvin Ridge to follow. Hough will close the day with a match against Charlotte Catholic at approximately 8:15.
Smith is not only pleased with the caliber of teams participating — they all made the playoffs and combined for 128 wins last year — but also with the response he’s received from the coaches of those teams.
The hope is that the event will become an annual one at Hough.
“I think it will be a start of a really good tradition, honestly,” says Roux.
