Remembering “Big John” Stewart March 12, 2008
Posted by Thomas Beisner in Kentucky Basketball.trackback
Today is the 9th anniversary of the tragic and sudden death of University of Kentucky recruit John Stewart. Stewart, who Jack Keefer, his high school coach called “the neatest young man I’ve ever coached”, collapsed during the third quarter of one of his finest games as a high school athlete. Before collapsing in the third quarter against top-ranked Bloomington South, Stewart already had 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, who was told of the a seven-footer’s death before the Cats’ first round NCAA tournament game against New Mexico State, got choked up afterward when asked about Stewart.
“It’s a great tragedy … I just can’t talk about it,” Smith said.
An autopsy later revealed that Stewart died of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which is basically where a heart muscle thickens for no reason and causes cardiac arrest. With this disease, the first sign of problem often results in death.
There is a John Stewart Scholarship Fund that is administered by the Lawrence Township School Foundation. Contributions may be sent to :
Lawrence Township School Foundation
5626 Lawton Loop E Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46216
Phone: 317-423-8300
Fax: 317-568-4811
Stewart was Greg Oden at lawrence north when oden was still playing with power rangers. He would have been a great player. Thanks Beez.
Thank you for remembering Big John. He was truly a special person.
There is a John Stewart Scholarship Fund that is administered by the Lawrence Township School Foundation. Contributions may be sent to :
Lawrence Township School Foundation
5626 Lawton Loop E Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46216
Phone: 317-423-8300
Fax: 317-568-4811
Thanks you. I’ll update the post.
Great post. It’s things like these that really show what it means to be a part of the Kentucky family.
Great post, TJ. One of the most memorable moments I had at UK was Senior Day 2003 when Stewart’s parents were presented with his framed UK jersey on what would have been his Senior Day. There were few dry eyes in Rupp that day. That was a very classy move by UK and Tubby. RIP, Big John.
John was loved by so many people on an off the basketball court. He loved to make people laugh and he was just a wonderful person in so many ways. Coach Ralph Scott
When I was little he would hold me in the palm of his hand. He was very special.