Trivette soaring as an eagle
 
By Jeff Birchfield
STAR STAFF

   Carson-Newman wide receiver Stephen Trivette is making the most of his college experience. Both on the athletic field and in the classroom, the former Elizabethton Cyclone is soaring high as an Eagle.
   Trivette is the second leading receiver on the football team with over 28 yards per game. He had a career long reception of 67 yards in 2001, had four catches for 94 yards in the season opener against Winston-Salem State and secured his first collegiate touchdown. He's also coming off a banner year on the track team where he earned championship honors in the 200 meters.
   "When I came here I knew it was one of the best Division II programs," said the 6-1, 180 pounder about Carson-Newman. "The first season we went to National Championship. This year (a 6-3 season) conference losses kept us out of the playoffs.
   "We did beat Catawba the number one ranked team in the South region. We were 18-point underdogs, but beat them in double overtime. We were so young and had so many injuries. We lost six starters over the course of the season."
   It was a disappointment at the school, where coach Ken Sparks has took the program to five National Championships, four runner-up finishes and 17 post-season playoff appearances in his 22-year tenure. However, Trivette says the greatest joy of playing for Sparks comes off the field.
   "He's always one to put God first," said Trivette. "He gives glory to God where it belongs. Football is not the main thing. He always talks to us players about putting God first. We have an entire Christian coaching staff.
   "There's not another program like it in the country. There's totally a Christian staff that wants the best for his players on and off the field."
   Stephen recalls fondly his days with the Cyclones. During a three-week stretch in October 1998 as a senior for EHS, Trivette had 5 catches for 130 yards, 5 catches for 89 yards and 6 catches for 124 yards in respective wins over Cherokee, Sullivan Central and Morristown West.
   "Those were three good games," remarked Trivette. "We beat Central to get the conference title. I remember that game as a bad one too, beacuse my brother seperated his shoulder. All those were big games for me."
   Playing for EHS, allowed him to suit up for legendary coach Dave Rider. "It was great," stated Trivette. "He was an incredible guy. He gave us lessons that's carried on after high school both in football and in life. Back in junior high, I looked forward to having the chance to play for him."
   He remains close with many members of the team including his brother. "My brother David is at UT," said Stephen. "He played football at Carson-Newman for a year and then decided he wanted to go to school at UT. I go to Knoxville quite a bit. I went just a couple of days ago and hung out with him and Jason (Witten)."
   The gridiron is only one place where Trivette is excelling. On the track he has been as a winning performer. "David Needs, the receivers coach, is also the head track coach. He gets a lot of the receivers and defensive backs to run track. It's been fun to get to run in the meets. I ran at UT the last meet of last season."
   The son of the late Bill Trivette and Sandy Trivette, Stephen expressed a desire to follow in both parents' footsteps and enter the teaching profession.
   With a major in history and minors in both business and political science, Trivette is working toward that goal. He's also enjoying life on the Jefferson City campus.
   "It's a great place," said Trivette. "It's a small school. We have about 30 people in each class. You have good contact with all the professors. I'm enjoying that right now."