Building Bonds, Shaping Athletes

The power of relationships in sports extends far beyond the game itself. At FCA Atlanta, mentorship and faith intersect to create lifelong bonds that shape athletes both on and off the field. Tremond Gaither’s journey is a testament to this impact, as his connection with FCA Atlanta Sports Director Brent Slade played a pivotal role in his growth as an athlete, mentor, and man of faith.

"My journey with FCA began in 2012 when I tried out for the baseball team as a 6th grader at Coan Middle School. Out of all the hopefuls, I was one of just three 6th graders chosen to play, and I took on the role of a pitcher. As the season started, Coach Slade would visit our school to lead devotionals before practice. Growing up in a Christian family, I already knew a little about Jesus, but Slade’s visits—along with the food he brought—helped me learn more about my faith.

Midway through the season, our head coach was fired, which led to several teammates quitting. With only two games left, Slade stepped in to coach and brought along extra players to fill the roster. The following year, I returned to play in the league as a 7th grader. While the season was an improvement over the previous year, it lacked the same personal impact.

That summer, my family moved to the westside of Atlanta, where I attended Brown Middle School and later Mays High School. Brown didn’t have an FCA program, but I stayed connected with Coach Slade and the Middle School League through social media. Once at Mays, I met a classmate, Zydarius Boykin, who had played against me in the league. We quickly bonded and, during our high school summers, reached out to Slade to volunteer at FCA camps. Eventually, we started coaching at Bunche Middle School together in the spring.

In the summer of 2017, just before my senior year, my father passed away a week before school started. It was a devastating loss that took a significant toll on me mentally. I struggled deeply, even questioning my will to keep going. Outside of my family, the only people who knew were Slade and Chris Sherwood. Despite my struggles, I finished my senior year, competing in wrestling and lacrosse, though my passion wasn’t the same. That spring, I convinced Zydarius to coach with me at Bunche, and it turned out to be an incredible experience. After graduation, he pursued college football while I stayed in Atlanta to work and continue volunteering in the league. We kept in touch, and over time, Zydarius became the friend I needed to help pull me out of depression and grow closer to God.

For the next few years, I worked at the zoo and a trailer shop while reserving my spring and summer seasons for volunteering with FCA. Then, in 2021, I received a call from Slade, asking if I would be interested in joining the FCA staff. Given all that FCA had done in my life, it was an easy decision. Since then, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to mentor and coach just as Slade once did for me. FCA had a profound impact on my journey, and now, I hope to be that same guiding presence for the next generation."

Tremond Gaither

FCA Atlanta Sports, Baseball Ambassador