DEMOREST – Athletic teams from Habersham and Stephens counties will pause Saturday to remember Coach Patrick Mayfield, who died suddenly while visiting relatives in July.
Mayfield, who was a school resource officer with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, also was assistant baseball coach for the Habersham Central Raiders. He was 52 at the time of his death.
“We will have a special time of remembrance and a moment of silence prior to our game vs. Stephens County,” said Coach Chris Akridge. “Coach Mayfield worked and coached in both Habersham and Stephens County during his career, so we can’t think of a more perfect way to honor his life and legacy. Both schools and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office will participate in remembering Patrick.”
Shortly after receiving the news of Mayfield’s death, Akridge wrote a tribute to him that read, in part: “Unmistakable smile. Unmistakable laugh. So many great memories and stories during our three years working together. He loved the game of baseball and knew it inside and out. He’d probably forgotten more baseball than I’ll ever know yet was still hungry to learn the game each day. A man respected in the baseball community around our state with many years of head coaching experience, he humbly came to the field each day and did his part to help our team be successful – working on the field, staying late to get extra work in with guys, working with guys on weekends and in the winter to help them get better. Always quick to deflect any praise and redirect it to someone else. Loved by our players, loved by our coaches, wives and our kids. He had a heart of gold and truly loved those that he came in contact with.”
Additionally, Akridge wrote about “Officer” Mayfield.
“A beloved school resource officer in Habersham County Schools, he was always looking for at-risk kids and trying to help them make better decisions,” Akridge wrote. “He’d sit in our office at the field and talk with me for hours after games. I’ve realized today just how much of an impact he had on me and all that he taught me.”
The festivities will take place at Raider Park on the campus of Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School, 3115 Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway, Demorest.
Saturday’s full schedule is as follows:
- 11 a.m. – Habersham Central Raiders host defending AAA State Champion Pike County,
- 2 p.m. – Pike County vs. Stephens County, and
- 5 p.m. – Stephens County vs. Habersham County.
