Inspire, Fall/Winter 2009

a lumnotes CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY 39 DeMaurice Smith Leads NFL Players Association DeMaurice (De) Smith ’85 was unanimously elected in March as executive director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). Although De was an NCCAA All-American in track and field at Cedarville, he never played football beyond the high school level. He was considered a long shot for the position, as other leading candidates had played professional football and knew the league inside out. But in just a few months, De Smith impressed players with his character, leadership, and a detailed plan to represent their best interests. After the election, Drew Brees, NFLPA vice president and quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, said, “We found the right guy — a guy everybody believes in and trusts … we found our leader.” Previously, De worked as a trial lawyer and litigation partner with the firm Patton Boggs in Washington, D.C. He also served on the Board of Governors for the D.C. Bar Association and has been named to several notable lists, including Best Lawyers in America and Washingtonian magazine’s Young Guns: Top 40 Lawyers Under 40. He has been a frequent legal commentator on MSNBC’s “Hardball,” CNN, NBC, Court-TV, and Fox. In his new role, De’s immediate priority is to represent the Players Association in contract negotiations with team owners and the league, ultimately trying to prevent a lockout. In his first few months on the job, he visited every team in the league to meet the athletes and begin working with them to change the business of this billion-dollar industry. alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight In Memory We extend our condolences to the families and friends of these dear loved ones. Orval Labig ’39 , of Xenia, Ohio, passed away on April 20, 2009. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, receiving five battle stars and earning the rank of major. Orval worked as a school administrator and served with the Greene County Auditors Office after his retirement. He was a charter member of North Side Christian Church and a member of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association and the Greene County Teachers Association. He is survived by four children, 13 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. Donald Staggs ’52 passed away on July 17, 2009. While at Cedarville, Don majored in education and was captain of the football team. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, earn a master’s degree, and conduct two years of doctoral study. In his 40-year career in education, he worked as a high school teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, and personnel and business director at various schools. He is survived by his wife, Wanda; one daughter; four sons; and 12 grandchildren. Joan (Carter) Stephens ’65 , of Sebring, Florida, went home to be with her Savior on April 28, 2009. She taught English at the high school and college levels, was an avid reader, and enjoyed writing articles for Christian publications. Joan is survived by her husband, Marvin ’65 ; one daughter, Jennifer Winsor ’92 ; two sons, Jason and Nathan ’00 ; and six grandchildren. Jonathan Basner ’98 went home to be with the Lord on July 24, 2009, after a three-year battle with cancer. He graduated with a degree in Christian education and received his master’s degree from Talbot School of Theology. After working as a resident director at Cedarville for two years, Jon became the youth pastor and later associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Waldoboro, Maine. He leaves behind a wife, Lisa (Cook) ’98 , and two children, Jillian (7) and Josiah (4). Lisa is asking those who knew Jon to e-mail memories of him to basner98@localnet.com. If you would like to contact a friend highlighted in this section, please e-mail us at alumni@cedarville.edu . We’d be glad to put you in touch. To send your updates, visit www.cedarville.edu/inspire or e-mail alumni@cedarville.edu. You may also send them to Alumni Relations, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314. Deadlines are December 15 for the spring issue, April 15 for the summer issue, and August 15 for the fall/winter issue. The editorial staff has full discretion regarding submissions. “De Smith impressed players with his character, leadership, and a detailed plan to represent their best interests.” Career Opportunity: Cedarville University Director of Admissions With record-level applications and our new financial aid program, these are exciting days in the Cedarville admissions office. While we rejoice with current director Scott Van Loo ‘98 in his appointment as vice president for enrollment management at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, we are also seeking the right candidate to fill this strategic position on campus. To learn more, visit www.cedarville.edu/admposition . Photo credit: Patton Boggs