cowboy_witch (![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} cowboy_witch) wrote,@ 2009-10-27 12:11:00 |
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Community
I know I've bitched and moaned a lot about how frustrating it can be at times to work here at Hampton University; between policies and the low pay and general disorganization within the university infrastructure, that's all true. But another thing is true, something I've been reminded of over the last two days.
The people who work here, practicularly those who work here in the Department of Athletics, are wonderful, caring people who act as a family, particularly in trying times.
The last few days have certainly qualified as trying times; on Saturday morning, men's basketball captain Theo Smalling was the victim of an accidental shooting, and for a few days was listed in critical condition. Last night, he died -- just days after his 22nd birthday and just three weeks before the start of his senior season. He was set to graduate this spring, and he was the basketball team's only captain, because of his maturity and his self-awreness.
Theo was also a kind young man and something of a cut-up; he always left you smiling and laughing. I didn't know him particularly well, but every time we came across each other on campus, he made a point to say hi. He also made a point to call me sir; the first time he called me sir, I laughed and told him that he didn't have to call me that. At 28, I'm far too young to be called sir, and I told him he could just call me Jeff.
Theo kept calling me sir. That told me what kind of person he was. That was why I decided to join a lot of my co-workers -- and both basketball teams -- last night at the hospital to see Theo and start saying our goodbyes. We all held out as much hope as we could, but realistically, we all knew the inevitable.
What I saw last night, aside from upset and grieving teammates and friends, was a university community coming together. Half the people there didn't know me by name, but no one ever asked why I was there. They were just glad I was, and I was glad I was. For all of Hampton University's imperfections, for all the frustration this place gives me at times, the people are second-to-none, and I'm glad to be part of the Pirates family.
I grieve for Theo today not becuause I lost a close friend, but because this family lost one of its members. The senseless nature of the tragedy makes it even harder -- the school reverend made mention of that in his prayer to us last night -- but the bottom line is we all lost a family member, and I wanted to be there last night to help anyone I could with the grieving process.
There'll be another tribute to Theo tonight at the Hampton Holiday Inn; I'm going to that, too, because this is about family. For better or worse, I'm a member of the Hampton University family, and I always will be -- even when I move on to do other things. That became especially evident to me last night, seeing all the familiar faces and noticing how they lit up and smiled, simply because I showed up.
When something like this happens, the entire community comes together. It wasn't that long ago that the University of Connecticut football team lost one of its players, and it touched me the way everyone rallied around that team and that school. Even rival West Virginia came together in solidarity before its game last weekend against Connecticut.
Now, I know exactly how that feels.
Theo Smalling will be missed by everyone here at Hampton University; even those of us who never truly knew him. And even in the face of this horrible campus-wide tragedy, I find a little solace knowing how tight-knit and strong this community is, and I'm glad I'm a part of it.
Our release on the tragedy: http://www.hamptonpirates.com/news/2
I know I've bitched and moaned a lot about how frustrating it can be at times to work here at Hampton University; between policies and the low pay and general disorganization within the university infrastructure, that's all true. But another thing is true, something I've been reminded of over the last two days.
The people who work here, practicularly those who work here in the Department of Athletics, are wonderful, caring people who act as a family, particularly in trying times.
The last few days have certainly qualified as trying times; on Saturday morning, men's basketball captain Theo Smalling was the victim of an accidental shooting, and for a few days was listed in critical condition. Last night, he died -- just days after his 22nd birthday and just three weeks before the start of his senior season. He was set to graduate this spring, and he was the basketball team's only captain, because of his maturity and his self-awreness.
Theo was also a kind young man and something of a cut-up; he always left you smiling and laughing. I didn't know him particularly well, but every time we came across each other on campus, he made a point to say hi. He also made a point to call me sir; the first time he called me sir, I laughed and told him that he didn't have to call me that. At 28, I'm far too young to be called sir, and I told him he could just call me Jeff.
Theo kept calling me sir. That told me what kind of person he was. That was why I decided to join a lot of my co-workers -- and both basketball teams -- last night at the hospital to see Theo and start saying our goodbyes. We all held out as much hope as we could, but realistically, we all knew the inevitable.
What I saw last night, aside from upset and grieving teammates and friends, was a university community coming together. Half the people there didn't know me by name, but no one ever asked why I was there. They were just glad I was, and I was glad I was. For all of Hampton University's imperfections, for all the frustration this place gives me at times, the people are second-to-none, and I'm glad to be part of the Pirates family.
I grieve for Theo today not becuause I lost a close friend, but because this family lost one of its members. The senseless nature of the tragedy makes it even harder -- the school reverend made mention of that in his prayer to us last night -- but the bottom line is we all lost a family member, and I wanted to be there last night to help anyone I could with the grieving process.
There'll be another tribute to Theo tonight at the Hampton Holiday Inn; I'm going to that, too, because this is about family. For better or worse, I'm a member of the Hampton University family, and I always will be -- even when I move on to do other things. That became especially evident to me last night, seeing all the familiar faces and noticing how they lit up and smiled, simply because I showed up.
When something like this happens, the entire community comes together. It wasn't that long ago that the University of Connecticut football team lost one of its players, and it touched me the way everyone rallied around that team and that school. Even rival West Virginia came together in solidarity before its game last weekend against Connecticut.
Now, I know exactly how that feels.
Theo Smalling will be missed by everyone here at Hampton University; even those of us who never truly knew him. And even in the face of this horrible campus-wide tragedy, I find a little solace knowing how tight-knit and strong this community is, and I'm glad I'm a part of it.
Our release on the tragedy: http://www.hamptonpirates.com/news/2