When I hear the words "Virginia Tech," sports immediately come to mind. I think of Michael Vick nearly leading the Hokies to the national championship and Marcus Vick falling far short of the expectations that came with his famous name. I think of the breakout season for Seth Greenberg's basketball team and the way they knocked my Illini out of the Big Dance this year.
I think of things that don't really matter, not compared to the tragic loss of life that happened on the Virginia Tech campus yesterday.
And then I see what other sports fans have to say about yesterday's events, and I'm reminded that sports do matter. They give us a sense of community with our fellow sports fans. None of us can imagine what my colleague Nick Dallamora, who's a student at Virginia Tech, went through yesterday. But I've been struck by how many sports bloggers have shown that sense of a community of fans today.
Dan Shanoff began today's column with the headline, "Today We Are All Hokie Fans." Every Day Should Be Saturday had a poignant post simply titled, "Moment of Silence," with a Hokie flag at half staff. We Are The Postmen reflected what I think a lot of people were thinking, which is that we want to say something but don't know what. With Leather noted the difficulty of being funny and The Big Picture said "no jokes today." Larry Brown Sports and Chris' Sports Blog and My Sports Talk all set sports aside.
That's the immediate reaction, but in five months we'll be watching the Hokies on the football field again. When we do, we'll no doubt see black stickers on the players' helmets, and our first response might be to think a football game doesn't mean a damn thing. But then we'll get a look at the student section, and the young people that game is bringing together, and we'll be reminded that sports matter.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-17-2007 @ 1:20PM
Eileen Hinterberger said...
My heart goes out to all of you there, As a Mom and, as My fav Nephew Joe S. also attends there in the sporting arena (poll vaulting). I can only imagine the loss you are suffering. I am, as is the Nation with you all in Great Love, prayer and in any kind of support we have. I am here also and don't sleep much so I can listen... write me, "Choochie" I love you all...You are much braver than you think- the ones left behind... IM also
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4-17-2007 @ 1:38PM
acsportsbooks.com said...
I think of VT leaving the Big East.
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4-17-2007 @ 2:26PM
Kourtney said...
I know what you mean about the sports community. I played ice hockey for 14 years, my sister for 18, and my father coached for 20 and if anything ever happened to anyone in our hockey club, every club in the state or in our league knew and were there for us, whether it was putting money together for a scholarship for a player who had lost his father, or sending cards and moments of silence prior to a game. I don't mean to bring up 9/11, but USA Hockey sent stickers out for every single player to put on our helmets with the American flag ribbon and we will never forget written on it, mine is still there. It's amazing what sports communities do for each other. My thoughts and prayers are with all Hokies and their friends and families
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4-17-2007 @ 3:49PM
Stewart Kincaid said...
I am an alumi of VT. Class of 74. I was at Norris Hall many years ago. My heart, can not say enough to the families of the staff, an students.
May you all, always remember the good things and times to those that are no longer here with us.
Just another bump in the road for a Hokies, but always one in heart, mind, spirit.
Stewart
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4-17-2007 @ 3:54PM
Diana said...
I reach my heart out to everyone and I weep from the revelation of so many lost, senselessly. You are all so brave, so eloquant and even through the darkness of not knowing the whereabouts of your friends and family your hopes sprung forth as would a flower on the first day of spring. I will take notes forgetting not your courage in the face of such horrific circumstances. Stand together and be courageous for someone else when they are not able.
My prayers for you are briskly received into our loving Father's ears and He hears our cries. Amen and Amen
Lovingly,
Diana
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4-17-2007 @ 5:14PM
peacemama said...
My prayers are with you and the VT family.
I just wanted to add that I don't ever recall hearing that a school shooter played on a sports team.
Cyber hugs,
peacemama
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4-17-2007 @ 6:31PM
Elissa said...
My heart goes out to the students of Virginia Tech and the victim's families. I feel like there are alot of things that need to change in the United States to prevent these things from happening. They should get rid of these gun stores and only supply them for policeman, the colleges need to check out who they are letting into their colleges like their background and more security etc..I HOPE ONLY GOOD THINGS FROM NOW ON AND NO MORE TRADGEDY! VIRGINIA TECH I AM WITH YOU!
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4-17-2007 @ 6:34PM
Elissa said...
Your comments: My heart goes out to the students of Virginia Tech and the victim's
families. I feel like there are alot of things that need to change in
the United States to prevent these things from happening. They should
get rid of these gun stores and only supply them for policeman, the
colleges need to check out who they are letting into their colleges
like their background and more security etc..I HOPE ONLY GOOD THINGS
FROM NOW ON AND NO MORE TRADGEDY! VIRGINIA TECH I AM WITH YOU!
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4-17-2007 @ 7:15PM
Matt said...
Poor Everyone
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4-17-2007 @ 7:42PM
Jordan said...
My brother is going off to college soon and I knew I would miss him...but now I am scared. I am praying for everyone at VT and their families. Keep God in your hearts and by your side. If he is there everything will be ok.
I will keep everyone at VT in my prayers,
JRedd
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4-17-2007 @ 11:50PM
luvtazzy7373 said...
for all the parents and students at VTECH may the lord be with each and everyone of yall in this time of need and i am so sorry for yalls lost.
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4-18-2007 @ 12:19AM
George B Vieto said...
Almost everyone is a Hokie fan. Sorry for the loss of life at VT. Grieve the loss of your students and professors and remember that time heals all wounds. Play and live life like it is the last dance and go out with a blaze of glory.
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4-18-2007 @ 4:29PM
Anon ymous said...
Each family member of a victim should get the opportunity to piss on cho's grave.
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4-22-2007 @ 6:54PM
englishdegreeman said...
Sometimes people are born with brain deformities.
They may not be able to escape them.
Unfortunately, it looks like Cho's parents didn't believe in psychiatry or psychiatric meds. So it didn't help that he never received psychiatric care or psychiatric meds growing up.
So how much of what Cho did was his choice to be evil, how much was the result of his not being on psychiatric meds for years, and how much was the result of his being born with some sort of internal brain malformity? No one can answer that.
If not for having a gun, he might have constructed a bomb. Either way, it's a tragedy that might have been avoided had Virginia not had a law that prevented a university from removing a student who was mentally ill from the premises. Everyone knew he was a danger, yet for fear of a lawsuit they were powerless to get rid of him.
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