By Jeanni Ritchie

Crossroads Soccer Association 3rd Annual Charity Event will be held tonight to benefit the Stafford Family.

 

Held annually to benefit a family facing hardship, area coaches select a family of one of their soccer players to share their support and boost morale while strengthening community ties.

 

This year’s recipient is the family of Jackson Stafford, 15, who has played Crossroads Soccer for years. Jackson’s mother, Courtney, is a local teacher and typical soccer mom who could always be found cheering Jackson on from the sidelines with his little sister Kerrigan, 11.

 

Dealing with grief over the recent loss of her mother, Courtney went in to her family practitioner in January 2024 for a routine exam feeling sad but otherwise fine. Within hours she’d been diagnosed with leukemia and admitted for a month-long stay at MD Anderson.

 

The absolute marvel in her voice today at such an early detection and the gratitude over the healthcare provisions she had in place are a testament to a life firmly rooted in faith. Despite the hardship, Courtney’s story is one of inspiration. There’s no question as to why she was selected as this year’s recipient.

 

Not to mention her family’s unwavering devotion to Crossroads. “He eats, sleeps, and breathes soccer,” she said of Jackson.

 

Cheering on the teams with Jackson and his sister is Logan Stafford, their dad and Courtney’s husband who has been her biggest supporter. While Courtney will have to settle for the post-game play-by-play as she rebuilds her immune system, the rest of the Stafford family will be on hand to watch the all-Cenla players selected to participate in the match tonight, a group of high school players selected by the high school soccer coaches.

 

President of Crossroads Soccer Association Ian Ragsdale loves the opportunity to showcase these players in such an impactful way. “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring the All-Star match to the broader soccer community and tie our younger families into the high school soccer community through such a worthy cause.”

 

Ragsdale’s family has been a part of Cenla’s Crossroads since its inception in 1994. I laughingly shared the tale of my son playing his first and last year in ‘95. He couldn’t keep his hands off the ball! Many a coach and referee wore out their whistles over my 4-year old that year!

 

Leaving the ball-touching to the goalkeepers, these Cenla standouts will play at Johnny Downs tonight at 5:30 (Girls) and 7:30 PM (Boys). Drawings for raffle baskets will be held at each halftime. Raffle tickets may be bought at the game.

 

Knowing she had more resources than most made Courtney reluctant to accept many offers in the beginning of her journey but realizing the Crossroads offer was the soccer community supporting her children made her view this opportunity differently. Families often endure the hardships along with the patient and this unexpected trial was no different. Seeing the outpouring of love and support for her entire family is soothing to a mom’s heart.

 

But above all, Courtney wants to use her journey to share a message. “Don’t skip your annual exam,” she shares. “It could save your life.”