Saturday is more than just the celebration a friend who is greatly missed.

It's a reunion that only Jensen Brown could bring about.

For Jonathan Luckett, a 2008 graduate of Santa Fe Preparatory, he will get to see faces and relive memories with friends he hasn't seen in awhile.

"It's kind of a time to come back and share memories and stories," Luckett says. "It's something that's on everyone's minds."

Brown's lasting gift will be honored by Luckett and about 50 other players at Brother Abdon Field on the St. Michael's campus for the Think Jensen Games.

The event is named after Brown, a St. Michael's student and soccer player who died in a automobile accident last year at the age of 16.

This is the second summer his friends have organized a series of soccer exhibitions in honor of him.

There will be soccer matches featuring current and former players at St. Michael's and Santa Fe Prep, many of whom were friends with Brown.

Also included in the festivities are members of the Northern New Mexico Soccer Club, a group Brown was a part of.

Donations will be accepted for the Think Jensen Fund with the Santa Fe Community Foundation and gifts will be presented to local and national charities.

The event, however, is more about celebrating the spirit of Brown's life, and Luckett says the memories of his friend are always good.

"There are times when someone's telling a story and will bring up Jensen, and it
will always be a happy, memorable story," Luckett says. "It's hard to listen to sometimes,
but it's a good thing because only the good is remembered. Of course, it's hard, but in a lot of ways, he's brought us together and made us a stronger group."

Their strength has helped embolden Jensen's father, Merritt Brown, while he coped with tragedy.

As the head boys soccer coach at St. Michael's, Merritt Brown found his strength in the actions of his son's teammates.

"They carried me through the whole season," Merritt Brown says. "There is something innate in their nature, with their compassion and caring. It was a very honest and true emotion that came out of them."

There's also an air of anticipation for the event, which Luckett attributes to St. Michael's senior-to-be Eric Fishback, who was Jensen's cousin.

"He's the one that's always putting it in everyone's minds that it's coming," Luckett says. "We're all getting excited for it and to be together again. I haven't seen a lot of the kids since last year."