A seven-year dream came to flourish Thursday, April 28, at Snook Christian Academy (formerly known as Alabama Gulf Coast Christian Academy).

“Today, we are here to celebrate the grand opening of Caleb’s Field of Dreams,” said Thad Butts, principal of Snook Christian Academy. “This project has been ongoing for several years now and we’re glad it’s completed and we can use it.”

Caleb’s Field of Dreams was constructed in honor of Caleb Coxwell, who passed away July 15, 2009. He was 11 years old.

Caleb was the son and grandson of several of the employees of the school and board members.

“He was a family member to many in this community, but loved by all,” Butts said.

Caleb’s favorite activities were baseball and football. School sports were part of Caleb’s dream for the school, and the school decided to build a baseball field to honor his dream.

Billy Lambert, Caleb’s grandfather, spoke at the ribbon cutting on Thursday.

“On behalf of all the family, I would like to thank you all for coming, and thank those who made Caleb’s Field of Dreams come true,” he said. “Caleb was an unusual boy. He loved sports, he loved a lot of things; but he loved the Lord first. I look forward to seeing younger students out there playing. He would be proud of it.”

Lambert said from the time he was a young boy, there was something special about Caleb; about his attitude and about his commitment to Christ.

“When he committed himself to Christ, it was 100 percent; when he committed himself to ball, it was 100 percent,” Lambert said.

Lester Smith, chairman of the board for Snook Christian Academy, spoke about the new field and the prospect of sports teams coming to the academy fall of 2017.

“’Build it and they will come,’” Smith said, “We believe this is true. The school is a shining light right now, but it’s going to be shining brighter and brighter in the days to come.”

Caleb would’ve been a senior this year, graduating in a few days with the class of 2016.

“He was a wonderful man with ambitions,” Smith said. “We will continue to carry on what he would’ve wanted in this school with athletic facilities. I hope everyone that plays on this field keeps his memory alive and plays the game with the same kind of spirit and enthusiasm Caleb did.”

Principal Butts said Caleb’s favorite Bible verse was Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

“Of all accounts, Caleb had a servant heart,” Butts said. “He touched everyone at the school; it was something everyone recognized, something everyone saw. School sports were a dream of Caleb’s, and that is going to come to fruition this fall and come to an even greater scale fall 2017. This will keep his memory alive. He spent 11 years of life on this Earth — such a short time on Earth — but his impact will be felt for years and years to come.”