When John Poitevint reflects on what initially brought him to Alabama Christian College (ACC), he recalls, “I came to ACC in the fall of 1972 with only the thought of playing baseball. But God had other plans! I gained so much more… I became a Christian on May 22, 1973, met my future wife Kathy Carr, made lifelong friends, and eventually became an employee of the school.”
Looking back on his time as a student-athlete, Poitevint was dealing with arm and shoulder injuries as a pitcher, but emphasized the positives. “Having a coach like Donnie Hilliard impacted me far beyond my playing career. My teammates, like Lyle Gillis—who taught me the Gospel and baptized me—Jesse Long, John Martin, Robert Hudson, and others, became a family of boys who loved playing baseball,” he said.
The people he met at ACC left a lasting impression. “Lyle Gillis and Ernie Saffold befriended me and helped me become a New Testament Christian,” Poitevint said. “Roommates like Tommy Gafford, Larry Laney, Tim Rice, Tim Stevens, Dennis Hargrove, and Mike Presley; and mentors like Eris Benson, Leonard Johnson, Donnie Hilliard, President Eulie Brannan, and Dr. James Crabtree shaped my time at ACC.”
Poitevint’s campus memories include the infamous snowstorm and Ray Stevens concert in February 1973 and a team road trip to Mobile, Alabama where they toured Hall of Famer Hank Aaron’s childhood home. He also took part in social clubs, lectureships, and devotionals. He was an active member of the ZETA Social Club and served on the Inter-Club Council. Poitevint was elected 1973-1974 Student Government Association (SGA) president and received the prestigious James B. Allen Award for outstanding leadership, character, and involvement. He completed his AA degree in May 1974.
After transferring to Freed-Hardeman University, Poitevint graduated in 1976 with double majors in Health/Physical Education and Bible. Shortly thereafter, he returned to ACC at the request of Coach John Hazelip to help revive the college’s baseball program.
“We had a bunch of ‘hungry players,’ like Jay Rice, Terry Baxley, Roger Wright, Wayne Pierce, Eddie Martin, and Jack Madaris,” Poitevint said, noting the team wore the iconic maroon and gold pinstripe uniforms. It was during this time that Poitevint met Kathy Carr, and the two were soon married. The couple now has three sons—John, Brad, and Tait—three daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren.
Poitevint’s career has spanned nearly 29 years in Alabama and 11 years in Georgia, where he worked as a teacher, coach, and preacher. He and his wife Kathy have remained closely connected to ACC, now Faulkner, through the years and they hold a Lifetime Alumni Association Couple Membership.
In 2024, Poitevint was inducted into the Faulkner University Athletic Hall of Fame. Without the benefit of scholarships, facilities, or time to recruit, Poitevint helmed a team assembled entirely of students already enrolled in the school. His efforts were critical in the establishment of what is now a nationally prominent baseball program.
