June 1, 2021 could have signaled the end of Lane Mangum’s legacy. It also could have been the date that induced the destruction of his family.
Nearly one year ago, weeks after completing his sophomore year at Calvary Baptist Academy, 15-year-old Lane Mangum died when his boat capsized near the Lake Bistineau Spillway. The former football and baseball star left behind a mountain of fans, including mother, Jackie, father, Chris, stepmother, Joanna and four siblings.
In the wake of Lane’s death, the Mangum family, robbed of so much, had a mission to keep their late son’s memory alive through giving when no one would blame them for taking.
If the past seven days – likely the most emotional since the immediate aftermath of his passing — are an indication, Lane’s legacy is thriving.
A week ago, a brave Joanna Mangum made an announcement that would change the lives of two aspiring college students.
Even after Lane’s death, the Mangums have been inundated with emails (meant for Lane) from what would be prospective colleges.
“We could allow this to make us angry because Lane never got his chance,” Joanna said.
Instead, they positively harnessed the energy and produce the Lane Mangum Memorial Scholarship, created to honor one male and one female Calvary senior athlete, who “displayed excellence in athletics, exemplary standards in scholarship and citizenship.”
Lane is going to get that chance after all.
“With this scholarship, Lane will go to college — year after year in the heart of each recipient,” Joanna said. “In that we can find peace.”
The inaugural recipients were Sawyer Fowler (baseball) and Raelee Johnson (soccer).
“Raelee Johnson is not going to be in the headlines for the game-winning goal,” Calvary superintendent Chad McDowell said. “Sawyer Fowler is a very good baseball player, but you’re just not going to see his name in the limelight. They may have been in the background, but they did what they were supposed to do. Those two names, it gave me extra chills.”
As if the honor of being able to help Lane “get to college” isn’t enough, consider the scholarships totaled $10,000.
In Chris Mangum’s mind, the family was simply paying generosity forward. When they looked for a place for Lane’s funeral, Calvary stepped up. When it came time to pay for funeral expenses, the Mangums couldn’t do it — because others had called ahead and taken care of them.
“We created a fund to help do a memorial by the new locker room at the football field,” Chris told the Journal. “When we realized how much we were raising, we decided to give half away.
“We feel honored to do it.”
Three days after the scholarship announcement, Chris threw out the first pitch at Calvary’s state semifinal baseball game last Thursday. The ball was delivered via a skydiver.
“That’s the mentality of the Calvary people,” Chris said. “They sent that ball down from Lane. They’ve been so good to us.”
Saturday, the Cavaliers capped an emotional season with a state championship. The title game went to extra innings. In the eighth inning, Calvary scored eight runs and 16 hits. A total of 16 runs were scored in the game the Cavaliers won by eight (12-4).
Lane Mangum’s football jersey number? 8
Lane Mangum’s baseball jersey number? 16.
Coincidence? Perhaps. But without question, the numerology is an incredibly fitting way to end a trying year labeled by a “Play 4 Lane” mantra on and off the diamond.
Mangum’s baseball jersey is set to be retired, but that’s probably going to have to wait another year. This season, the number was worn by Cade Bedgood – not just Lane’s best friend, but the only other person in the boat that harrowing day.
This season, Bedgood wore custom catcher’s gear and custom cleats.
Custom-made for Lane Mangum.
“Lane never put the gear on,” Chris said. “Cade came and got it from my house the day of the first game of this season. If you look under the throat, you can see the name ‘Mangum’ sewn on.”
The Mangums technically don’t have another child at Calvary, but their family has expanded thanks to an “all or nothing” teenager who will never be forgotten.
“If we can give away four scholarships next year, we will,” Chris said.
Said McDowell: “Their spirit of gratitude having lost so much, yet being so thankful, is inspiring.”