Eivins brothers carry on without dad

CEDAR RAPIDS - Even in failing health, Gail Eivins continued his dedication to Cedar Rapids Jefferson athletics.

The 50-year-old, who coached youth sports and served as a statistician for the Jefferson football team, would notice the time and remind his sons, Ryan, and Jared, it was time to head to football practice.

The day Gail Eivins died after a little more than a year battle with pancreatic cancer his sons honored him when they marched down the hill to the football team's practice fields behind Jefferson High School ready to work.

Ryan Eivins, 19, carried out his role as an assistant on the freshman team's staff, and 15-year-old Jared Eivins assumed his spot as a leader on the sophomore team, which practices with the varsity.

"It was where he would have wanted us to have been," said Ryan Eivins, sandwiching practice between hospice visits each day for about two weeks. "He always knew what time it was and he'd look at me and say it's getting close to football practice time. He knew exactly when I had to leave to get up here and I'd time it right. We didn't miss a practice through this."

Gail Eivins rarely missed any J-Hawks events. He was consistently at his sons' activities, including football, baseball, track and basketball. The only time he didn't attend a game was due to a hospital stay, according to Ryan Eivins. He made it to many of the youngest Eivins' baseball games, travelling to one in Davenport after chemotherapy and radiation treatment earlier in the day.

Jared Eivins said his dad was always very supportive, but would let you know how you needed to improve.

"I know any father would do that for their son, but it's incredible that he would still come out because I knew he was in so much pain so many times," Jared Eivins said. "I understood if he couldn't come but he always made the effort to come no matter what.

"The J-Hawks open the season against Cedar Rapids Prairie Thursday night at Kingston Stadium, looking to improve on a 1-8 campaign last season. Prairie was 8-4 in 2013 and attempting to reload the skill positions filled by last year's seniors.

When Jared Eivins takes the field for the sophomore game, it will be without his biggest fan in the stands. He will memorialize his dad with purple wristband with the phrases "Rest In Peace" and "Stay Strong" in white letters.

"He'll still be there," said Jared Eivins, who actually started a varsity game last season as a freshman. "It will be a time of sadness but yet joy, because he'll be seeing me at every angle. He'll be right by my side."

Gail Eivins was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last July, showing symptoms following Ryan Eivins' graduation. He died at 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 14, and just 15 hours later, Ryan Eivins addressed the varsity and sophomore teams huddled on one knee near a set of goal posts. They listened to lessons of toughness, perseverance, unity and making the most of every hour.

"No matter what my dad was feeling he was continuing on," said Ryan Eivins, who played football for Iowa Central last fall returning to spend more time with his dad. "Football prepares you to deal with situations in life."

Football provided a brief escape from the reality of the situation. Attending practice was a chance to partake in their normal routine.

"It has a lot to do with their mental toughness," Jefferson Coach Brian Webb said. "Everybody response to those situations in different ways. I thought it was their outlet of normalcy."

Webb also noted that he would visit Gail Eivins when his health was failing. They would spend the entire three to four hours talking about sports, and Gail Eivins always maintained his sense of humor.

"We talked about the kids he coached and Jefferson football, baseball, basketball, wrestling...," Webb said. "It's what he loved."

Many of the current J-Hawks were influenced by him. Gail Eivins led the J-Hawks in Metro Youth Football Association. He also coached U12 USSSA teams for the Junior J-Hawks organization, earning a spot in its Hall of Fame. He still attended the team's state championship game, despite undergoing tests at University of Iowa Hospitals the same day.

"We was a great guy," J-Hawk senior captain Josh Allen said. "His family is 100-percent J-Hawks. They want nothing but the best for us."

The Jefferson community rallied around the Eivins family. Ryan Eivins said they didn't cook a meal from last fall until December, when his mom, Shari, had to request the flow of food to stop. Others pitched in by removing snow or doing yard work.

The biggest gesture came the day of the funeral when almost all of the varsity and sophomore football players showed up, wearing their Jefferson football jersey. A fair tribute to someone who loved to watch them play.

"Everyone was so supportive and helpful. It was incredible," Jared Eivins said. "It really helped, not only me but my whole family. My mom started crying when she saw every football player coming in with their jersey. It's nice to have your teammates that support you through everything."

Webb said he felt pride in the way his players reacted to the situation, supporting the Eivins family. He said all the good teams he has been associated with have had a family dynamic.

The J-Hawks are trying to reach that level and this was a major step in that direction.

"Whether you're struggling during wind sprints or somebody has a personal need, it's all the same," Webb said. "It's helping a person in time of need or a need to sacrifice your time and efforts for the great good."

The family mentality has added a little more motivation to a group striving to become respectable again.

"It's more fuel to the fire," Allen said. "We want to make them proud because they are good people, too."