Steve Cox

Every time Steve Cox walks inside a YMCA branch, it takes him back to his childhood, when he and his father played baseball on a YMCA field near Friends University.

“What really stands out today about that time is not the baseball part, but rather the bond that it helped develop between my father and me,” Steve said. “What I remember is him helping me practice and also showing up with encouragement at every game. I think that time set the stage for us working together on projects that continued throughout my entire life, until he passed.”

Today, the former President of Cox Machine is still hitting home runs as an adult who is passionate about supporting children and families. Over the past 40 years, he’s been part of the West YMCA’s Advisory Board, the Northwest YMCA Advisory Board and, currently, the YMCA’s Metropolitan Board of Directors, where he is also past chair. His years of dedication have been instrumental in giving young people of all backgrounds in our community the chance to reach their full potential.

“The Y set me on that path. The Y made me realize that I did have something to offer others. I also think my involvement in Y programs as well as volunteer service has made me more accepting and understanding of others around me,” he said. “The Y really is ‘for all.’ You see more diversity in one hour at the Y than you see in a week of your ordinary life. I cannot imagine Wichita without the Y."

Of all the things the YMCA has given him personally, he’s most thankful for the gift of confidence he received from his first leadership position at the West YMCA in 1986. It paved the way for his involvement in numerous other civic organizations and the opportunity to chair the Rainbows United Board, Wichita Foundation Board and various church committees.