Where It All Began

A coach and his player were forever changed when the 12-year-old pitcher, William, was diagnosed with cancer.

The Stars was an East Cobb 13-year-old travel baseball team, and among them was a tall, lanky, lefty pitcher named William.

His teammates called him the Professor because when he pitched, he was steady, slow and methodical. He didn’t just play the game. He studied it, thought through every pitch and almost always led his team to victory.

William had a special bond with his coach, Reid Crowe.

One day, William picked up the phone and called Coach Crowe at home. He asked if they could go see The Patriot together, a movie they had talked about in the dugout.

That simple call was the start of something deeper than baseball. A friendship, a mentorship and a connection that went far beyond the game was happening.

The Stars themselves were rooted in faith. Before the team was even formed, Manager Tony Medlin and his wife, Tina, prayed over every player before drafting them. It was a team built on more than baseball. It was built on something bigger.

After the season ended, there was news no one expected. William was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Coach Crowe walked beside him through it all. He visited William in the hospital and at home. Both the coach and the player looked forward to their visits.

William endured 18 grueling months of treatment that included brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

William’s strength and determination carried him into remission. His prognosis was good.

But 18 months later, William relapsed. And that’s where Rally Foundation’s story truly began.

It was in that relapse that Reid’s wife, Dean, was invited to a newly formed prayer circle for Willian. She joined the prayer circle of baseball moms and neighbors praying for William.

That prayer circle ignited a fire in Dean to do more, and this is where Rally’s story began.

This is the power of people.

This is the power of purpose.

This is Rally.