2024: Tyler's Update

Dear Five Star Life Supporters, 

I hope you’re enjoying these stories of transformation as much as I am. It has been inspiring to pause and highlight a handful of our Five Star kids who, against all odds, CHOSE to rise up and transform their lives. Thanks again for taking the time out of the hustle and bustle to read this third installment in our year end letter series.

Have you ever had a moment where life totally blindsided you and rocked you to your core? It could be a moment of realization, a tragedy, or something so indescribably good it changed you forever. Three years ago I had one of those moments. In last year’s letter, I wrote about getting the 6am text from one of our parents notifying me that Tyler, a Five Star Life Basketball player I personally coached in middle and high school, had been shot in the head. 

This news rocked me to my core. It felt like my insides were being ripped out and my mind was racing trying to make it make sense. How does this happen to such a bright honor roll kid with high character? It felt like a piece of my heart was bleeding and I couldn’t make it stop. Now Tyler was in a coma, fighting for his life, and doctors provided no hope, telling his mom that he was brain dead and would never walk or talk again. It was devastating news for all of us but especially his mom. She was an absolute rock. It was her unwavering faith that provided the strength and clarity to not only believe for Tyler’s transformation, but to declare to all that he would live and fulfill his destiny. 

‍In last year’s letter I shared that over the next two years Tyler’s tenacious approach to physical therapy and his momma’s prayers led to a full recovery. It was a total miracle! Many of you have personally asked me about Tyler so I wanted to give you an update from last year. I’ll start by attempting to explain my experience sitting in the stands (teary-eyed) watching Tyler, against all odds, now running onto the court with his Saint Joseph High School basketball teammates. Not only did he play, his team made a deep run, making it all the way to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to play for a state championship! 

Last spring, Tyler went on to graduate from high school and is currently a freshman at Holy Cross College. The part I love the most is that he’s still growing with Five Star, has continued to develop his leadership, and is actively giving back by training and coaching kids through Five Star Life Basketball. To see Tyler with kids is to see a young man who has found his niche. He is magnetic and engages kids so naturally. It’s like he understands the value every kid has regardless of their skill. He, of all people his age, understands how precious life really is. He was given a second chance to live, serve, and have impact and he’s making the most of it. Of course he’s still a 19 year old kid with lots to learn, but there’s no better place to learn than under Coach Hoober (FSL Director of Basketball Operations), his former Five Star Life Basketball Coach.

Today, he spends several days each week at the new home of FSL Basketball, the Mishawaka Fieldhouse. What began as a tragedy that rocked me to my core is now a story of redemption, second chances, and full circle transformation. The icing on the cake is that Tyler is now on staff with Five Star Life Basketball, making money to support him at college while learning from the best coaches and trainers in the region. 

‍Tyler is a shining example of what we believe is possible for all kids. Regardless of the odds and no matter what’s been stacked against them, each kid can transform their life! However, they need someone to BELIEVE in them and FIGHT for them. That’s what Five Star Life does for kids, we believe in them and fight for them by providing the path, people, and tools for transformation. 

In the last letter, I mentioned that we launched a special scholarship fund this year to ensure that no child would ever be left behind because their family lacked resources. This is the fund that provided Tyler with scholarship money to support him at college. This is the fund that will help the next Tyler, Kelsey, Shaun, or Quinn transform their lives. We should probably call it the “Transformation Scholarship” because that is the core purpose. If you’ve given a financial gift, you’ve supported transformation. If you haven’t done so yet, consider this a personal invitation to experience the incredible joy and fulfillment that comes when you help transform a kids life. 

In closing, I want to share a special opportunity with you. Several weeks ago a long time donor reached out and told me that his life and business had been so blessed and successful that he wanted to share it. His exact words were, “I don’t know how much longer I will be here so I want to invest what I’ve been given into the next generation by giving a legacy gift.” I’m excited to share that from now through January this donor will match every donation toward our scholarship fund up to $300,000!!! This donor is fighting to transform lives and extends an amazing opportunity to double your donation in these final days of 2024. 

Thanks again for taking time to read these three year end letters! I hope you’ve enjoyed them, have shared them with loved ones, and will continue to support Five Star Life as we transform even more lives in 2025! 

President, Five Star Life