Today the Hokies football team of Virginia Tech takes the field against ECU for the first time since the shootings four and a half months ago that left 33 people dead. This would be enough of a challenge to put into perspective - but the football players had yet another blow - the downfall of favorite son Michael Vick, whose name adorned a building at the school and whose picture held a "shrine-like" place.
So what have students taken away from these incidents? A few articles I've found provide some interesting quotes.
Linebacker Vince Hall -
"You've always got to make the right decisions, and if you do wrong, you're going to pay for it and all you can do is serve your time for it and change." via nwi.com
Tailback Branden Ore-
"I think anybody that's in that kind of position knows that just as quick as you get built up, they'll break you down. You've just got to be careful of what you're doing and who you are hanging with.' via nwi.com
Wide receiver Justin Harper -
"You've got to value each day." via nwi.com
Others say the Hokie campus is now a more caring, compassionate place as a result of the tragedy. Most say that opening day of the college football season marks an important point as they move forward.
"No one will forget," one student said. "But I also think this weekend is an important time for Virginia Tech. Football is important here. It brings the whole community together. With everyone back for the start of the semester, I think it is a good way to go forward, to move on - to keep everything in our hearts, but to have a good time. It's also a great opportunity, especially with national TV here, for us to express our thanks to everyone who has been so supportive. The Hokies really appreciate everyone being so nice, rival schools, everyone across the nation has been there for us. I think people realize it could happen anywhere." via courant.com
"“I would say the student body as a whole cares more that our team is playing than it does about the wins,” said Kevin Schmid, a sophomore business management major. “It's been a rough couple of months, and for our football team to come out and play to begin with, is amazing in itself. It's definitely more important for our team to simply play because it helps us move on and get ourselves back to the regular school-like activities.” via sportingnews.com
“I envision the entire stadium applauding and giving ECU a standing ovation,” said Ryan Watson, a business major. “There have been numerous e-mails sent encouraging Virginia Tech students to respect our opponents who supported us through the hard times. The game will remain the same, but I believe there will be less animosity towards the ECU players and their fans.” Via sportingnews.com
And the VT football team's tradition of carrying a metal lunch bucket out to the field continues. In honor of the victims, a list of their names has been placed inside. In this video, players talk about the significance of this tradition - and their desire to honor the victims of the shootings.
2 comments:
Enjoyed this but am pouting because you haven't put up any new short stories this weekend.
No new short stories over at A Different Light right now - too much leftover work because I played hooky one day this week and fell behind doing all my work tasks :( Will catch up and write a story ASAP.
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