Gymnasium Named In Memory of Dwayne Sanders

On the evening of October 21, Emerald Youth celebrated the life of Dwayne Sanders at the naming ceremony of our gymnasium on North Central Street, where Dwayne invested countless hours serving city young people.

He faithfully served as Director of Sports Ministry with Emerald Youth Foundation and Director of Urban Outreach with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was raised in the Oakwood-Lincoln Park neighborhood, near the facility that would one day become Emerald Youth’s North Area Ministry Complex.

Dwayne dedicated his life’s work to sharing the Gospel with young people through athletics, and following a determined battle with cancer, died in April 2018.

His tenure with FCA began nearly 30 years ago, and in 2012, was given the opportunity to have his two passions converge with the launch of a joint partnership between Emerald Youth and Greater Knoxville Area FCA that allowed him to serve both organizations. This collaboration offered Dwayne a unique platform through campus and community-based ministry. It also provided him the opportunity to work alongside his college roommate and great friend, Steve Diggs, President & CEO of Emerald Youth.

Under Sanders’ leadership, Emerald Youth’s sports ministry with city children grew from 322 children on 38 teams in 2012 to over 1,600 young people playing on 169 teams in 2018.

Additionally, the ministry of Emerald Youth Sports and FCA grew to add new sports, including soccer, track, wrestling, performance training, swim lessons and baseball. This expansion provided additional opportunities for children from the heart of the city to attend FCA camps and be involved in campus ministries as well.