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 Steve Patterson, center for the UCLA Bruins in the midst of their string of NCAA Tournament Championships, died in Phoenix July 28, 2004.Best known as the bridge between centers Lew Alcindor, now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Walton, Steve made the All-Tourney team in 1971, leading the Bruins to a 68-62 victory over Villanova in the final game, in which he scored 29 points. Steve, a veteran of the NBA, also was head basketball coach at Arizona State University in the early 80’s, served as President and CEO of Super Bowl XXX in Phoenix, and as Commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association. In recent years, Steve developed Patterson Sport Ventures and worked as a fund-raiser for various organizations, and in February of this year, began work as the fund-raiser for TheGoal.com. While Steve’s loss has great impact for The Goal, and while we grieve for his family, we know that Steve has now reached the goal, and laid claim to the prize that surpasses all others – eternal life in the presence of a loving God. Faithful to the end, Steve shared his thoughts and remembrances about life and sports and faith in Jesus Christ with The Goal in the days immediately preceding his death. His thoughts, as well as his own testimony, are included here. The foundational verse of TheGoal.com is Philippians 3:14 – “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” We rejoice in the knowledge that Steve has reached the goal. |
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To read Steve’s personal testimony, click here |