'Birdie-thon' to help fund French teammate's cancer recovery
JACKSONVILLE – When you are part of a team, you are part of a family.
You make memories together, experience road trips and hotel stays together, and you really do life together. So naturally, when a teammate is in a time of need, you do what you can to meet that need. That is exactly what the women’s golf team at Jacksonville State University is doing for one of their own.
Ashley Stevenson, or the “French Princess” as her teammates refer to her as, was diagnosed with Parosteal Osteosarcoma (a rare type of bone cancer) before she returned to Jax State to begin her sophomore campaign with the Gamecocks.
Stevenson had a procedure on Nov. 17 that removed a tumor from her left femur and grafted a bone transplant in the affected area. After the procedure, her results showed that there is only a small percentage of cancer remaining. Stevenson is continuing what to date has been a successful treatment.
“Ashley brings life to the team every single day. She is so hard-working and determined—quite stubborn actually – which makes her great,” JSU coach Robbie Fields said.
Stevenson was not only a strong competitor but, according to Fields, was also the entertainment — with karaoke singing on their van rides to and from tournaments.
“The team was obviously very shocked to find out, and very emotional — especially early on. They have called and checked on her often to keep her involved,” Fields said.
Her teammates wanted to help, but how?
The Gamecocks had to figure how to rally behind their teammate.
“We wanted to find a way to do something meaningful for Ashley’s fight. We have been wearing yellow in support of bone cancer awareness,, but that wasn’t enough for the girls,” Fields said. “We spent time with our compliance and support staff to figure out what we could do within NCAA limitations.”
The idea of a “birdie-thon” came from Mississippi State men’s golf coach Dusty Smith, who had a daughter that battled childhood cancer and won the battle in 2022. The Bulldogs held a similar birdie-thon to provide support for her.
That’s exactly what the Gamecocks decided to do to support Stevenson.
How exactly does a birdie-thon work? Individuals can pledge a dollar or cents amount per birdie to donate at the end of the season. So far, after seven tournaments in the fall portion, the team has made 200 birdies. There are still five tournaments and the postseason to add to that total.
Recovering from surgery, chemo in the spring
To make a pledge to the JSU women’s golf birdie-thon, you can email Fields at rafields@jsu.edu. Fields will also keep everyone updated on Stevenson’s progress and the team’s birdie numbers.
As for Stevenson, she is rehabbing her leg from the procedure and will be undergoing chemotherapy this spring.
“From the day Ashley found out and told me about her diagnosis, she has been focused on getting better and returning to the golf course as well as Jax State,” Fields said. “Prior to the operation to remove the tumor, she spent her time almost every day she wasn’t in the hospital by chipping and putting at her home golf course in France.”
As the team competes this spring, their “French Princess” will be on their minds.
“Her strength and attitude have been so inspiring; she is still an important part of our team who we miss so much, and we look forward to having her back physically with our team,” Fields said.
Chase Robinson is a contributing writer to Alabama Golf News
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Featured image of Ashley Stevenson courtesy of Jacksonville State Athletics
