Gary Eave has honored his former baseball coach’s wishes to “finish strong.”

According to Grambling State News, Eave enrolled at Grambling State University in 1981. The opportunity was made possible through a scholarship presented to him by Coach Wilbert Ellis, who discovered him while he was attending the Baptist Youth Encampments on campus.

“I kept looking at him and said, ‘that guy’s a ball player,’” Ellis said, according to the outlet. “But beyond talent, Gary had character. He came from a strong, spiritual family. Grambling was the place he needed to be.”

The greatness that Ellis recognized did materialize. Eave became an All-American pitcher and secured three SWAC championships for the Historically Black College and University (HBCU). He went on to Major League Baseball in 1985, drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 12th round, according to Baseball Reference. He later represented the Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants.

While this was rewarding, he still felt called to finish his degree, he shared. As a freshman, Eave had met his late wife, Kathy Grimm, on campus in Carver Hall’s biology lab in 1982, and she had always supported him in his goal. Not to mention, their children have also received their college degrees. Two children are Grambling State University alums, and the third is a Dillard University graduate.

“She cheered me in baseball, in life, in ministry,” said Eave, who is also an associate pastor in Franklin, LA. “Completing my degree was always her desire for me.”

He added, “I wanted my degree to sit on the mantle right next to my children’s. I wanted my grandchildren to see that I didn’t give up. That I finished what I started.”

Eave decided to complete his studies at Grambling State University. After finishing his coursework, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a minor in criminal justice on Dec. 5.

“I feel complete,” Eave said, per Grambling State News. “Grambling [State] gave me so much. And now, I’ve finished what I started.”

Eave crossed the stage alongside a sea of other students, which included Janiah Tims. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, she graduated in 2.5 years by entering the HBCU with 21 dual-enrollment credits from Bastrop High School.

Tims graduated as valedictorian of her class.