- April 4, 2025
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The G.S. Elite 7-on-7 team, co-founded by Denzel Irvin, honored its late coach by wearing his No. 25 and raising more than $4,000 for his family. Irvin’s youngest daughter, Kehlani, and fiancée, Ashanti Roberson, took a photo with the team following the tournament. (Photo courtesy of William Preisser)
Steven Grecco wore a shirt remembering Denzel Irvin during the Lit Nights 2 7-on-7 tournament. (Photo courtesy of William Preisser)
Javion Martin indicated for the pass to be thrown his way with his out-stretched arm. (Photo courtesy of William Preisser)
G.S. Elite quarterback Gianni Rodriquez sent a pass toward a teammate during the Lit Nights 2 7-on-7 tournament. (Photo courtesy of William Preisser)
G.S. Elite’s Artavius Riley, front, and Javion Martin reacted to a play during the 7-on-7 tournament. (Photo courtesy of William Preisser)
G.S. Elite athlete Daniel Stills, left, began running his route during the Lit Nights 2 7-on-7 tournament. (Photo courtesy of William Preisser)
In 2024, Denzel Irvin — a football coach at Foundation Academy and individual trainer to many high school athletes in the area who died in December due to complications from a heart transplant— founded the Lit Nights 7-on-7 flag football tournament as a way to not only give local football players a chance to develop during the offseason but to also serve as a fundraiser, benefitting the family in which his new heart came from.
As a way to honor Irvin’s legacy, Steve Grecco, Irvin’s co-founder of the now-named G.S. Elite 7-on-7 team, Lance and Lester Axson, the coaches who took over coaching duties after Irving died, and the team’s players decided to not only have each member of the team wear Irvin’s No. 25 this season but to also keep his legacy of generosity going by bringing back the event as a fundraiser to benefit Irvin’s family — his two daughters, Maya and Kehlani Irvin, and his fiancée, Ashanti Roberson.
The tournament was a rousing success, with team Excel Speed taking home the championship, raising more than $4,000 for the family and even managing to get a sponsor to gift the family vouchers for a weeklong stay at a vacation condo.
