Grant to help pay for Shen media box
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. » A media box at Shenedehowa Football Stadium will be built as a tribute to a former football player killed in a high-profile accident.
State Sen. Jim Tedisco announced a $100,000 grant he secured to help complete the construction of the Christopher F. Stewart Media Box at the Shenendehowa Football Stadium. The box is named for Christopher F. Stewart, a 17-year-old cocaptain of the Shen football team killed when he and fellow Shen student Deanna Rivers were killed by a drunken and drugged driver on the Northway in 2012.
Tedisco said he is working on a remembrance for Rivers and will be announcing that project in the future.
The Christopher F. Stewart Media Box will begin construction in spring 2018 for a fall 2018 unveiling. The announcement was made Friday during halftime of a Shen football game.
“This will serve as an everlasting tribute to Chris Stewart’s memory and passion for athletics and to help save lives by reminding people of the impact of dangerous and drunk driving,” said Tedisco. “There is no excuse for drunk, drugged, distracted or dangerous driving. Make the right choice before getting behind the wheel and putting lives at risk. Use Uber, call a taxi or ask a friend for a ride because life is too precious.”
Tedisco said Stewart’s parents, Regina and Mike Stewart, have “taken their family’s personal tragedy and channeled their energy into positive efforts to benefit the community to ensure what happened to them doesn’t happen to other families.”
“Chris Stewart’s motto was ‘I believe that we can win!’ Through Chris Stewart’s inspiration and memory symbolized by this media box, I believe we will see many future wins at Shenendehowa by young people making good decisions on and off the field,” Tedisco said.
Mike Stewart said since his son’s death five years ago, Tedisco has not only supported us as an ongoing advocate for tougher laws and safer roads, but has also assisted fundraising efforts to build the new media box.
“Hundreds of donors have contributed in the past few years from family, friends, the community and a multitude of organizations,” Stewart said. “We are so appreciative to everyone.”
Regina Stewart said it has been a “long road in our personal endeavor to secure the funding for the media box and it appears we are close to seeing it happen.”
“[Chris Stewart] will be remembered on the field he so loved and it will be our pleasure to see the facility enjoyed and utilized for years to come by the students and community,” she said.