Sports are just sports.They will never eclipse the importance of governmental reform, global… Sports are just sports.They will never eclipse the importance of governmental reform, global economics or international affairs.
For some, they are merely an outlet for relaxation or a venue in which to satiate the need for individual competition.
Every now and then, however, sport transcends its place in society and becomes something more important.
For the students, staff and alumni of Virginia Tech, sport has served as a welcome distraction from the heartbreak that occurred nearly one year ago.
On April 16, 2007, a student suffering from severe anxiety disorder, among other psychological maladies, shot and killed 32 people in what is considered the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history.
Being a college student myself, I cannot and will not attempt to imagine the anxiety and sorrow that anyone connected to that school felt that day and for the following weeks and months.
I do, however, believe that in the solemn remembrance, anger and confusion that inevitably followed such an event, any distraction, no matter how short or trivial, would be welcome relief.
Sport provided just that relief.
Drew Weaver was there on that horrific day.
The Virginia Tech junior was on his way to class when he heard gunfire resonate from nearby Norris Hall.
He fled to the library, where he waited with many other frightened students until the sounds stopped and authorities deemed them safe to return to their dorms.
In the following days he learned of the deaths of his fellow classmates – first 12, then 16, until finally the count reached 32.
Weaver and his peers felt a certain helplessness as the numbers continued to climb.
While the school mourned, both the professional and collegiate sports communities united in tributes to the fallen students at Virginia Tech.
Just four days after the tragedy, Penn State students flocked to their annual Blue-White game donning maroon and orange.
Joe Saunders, a former Hokie and current starting pitcher with the Anaheim Angels, wore a Virginia Tech hat during his next start against the Athletics.
The Washington Nationals followed by having their entire team don the maroon and orange caps for a game with the Philadelphia Phillies.
But then, Weaver conducted an even more special tribute to his fallen classmates that summer.
Drew Weaver is one of the best golfers on one of the nation’s best teams.
Weaver first helped lead his Hokies to a share of the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference title.
But he continued to sweeten his tribute.
Last summer, the 19-year-old Weaver became the first American golfer to win the British Amateur tournament since Jay Sigel in 1979. With the victory, Weaver instantly qualified for the 2008 Masters and British Open tournaments.
This weekend, he will join fellow Hokie Johnson Wagner, who this past weekend won the Shell Houston Open to qualify for this week’s Masters as well.
Both golfers dedicated their victories to the 32 deceased students from that terrible incident.
Nearly one year after the misery, ill feelings and sadness will still be shared throughout the entire Virginia Tech campus.
But two golfers have already done their part to aid in the healing process.
Each one is likely to have an uncommon number of fans this weekend despite his relative ambiguity, and I will surely be one of them.
Because sometimes sport is more than just sport.
E-mail Andrew at abc10@pitt.edu. Sports are just sports.They will never eclipse the importance of governmental reform, global economics or international affairs.
For some, they are merely an outlet for relaxation or a venue in which to satiate the need for individual competition.
Every now and then, however, sport transcends its place in society and becomes something more important.
For the students, staff and alumni of Virginia Tech, sport has served as a welcome distraction from the heartbreak that occurred nearly one year ago.
On April 16, 2007, a student suffering from severe anxiety disorder, among other psychological maladies, shot and killed 32 people in what is considered the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history.
Being a college student myself, I cannot and will not attempt to imagine the anxiety and sorrow that anyone connected to that school felt that day and for the following weeks and months.
I do, however, believe that in the solemn remembrance, anger and confusion that inevitably followed such an event, any distraction, no matter how short or trivial, would be welcome relief.
Sport provided just that relief.
Drew Weaver was there on that horrific day.
The Virginia Tech junior was on his way to class when he heard gunfire resonate from nearby Norris Hall.
He fled to the library, where he waited with many other frightened students until the sounds stopped and authorities deemed them safe to return to their dorms.
In the following days he learned of the deaths of his fellow classmates – first 12, then 16, until finally the count reached 32.
Weaver and his peers felt a certain helplessness as the numbers continued to climb.
While the school mourned, both the professional and collegiate sports communities united in tributes to the fallen students at Virginia Tech.
Just four days after the tragedy, Penn State students flocked to their annual Blue-White game donning maroon and orange.
Joe Saunders, a former Hokie and current starting pitcher with the Anaheim Angels, wore a Virginia Tech hat during his next start against the Athletics.
The Washington Nationals followed by having their entire team don the maroon and orange caps for a game with the Philadelphia Phillies.
But then, Weaver conducted an even more special tribute to his fallen classmates that summer.
Drew Weaver is one of the best golfers on one of the nation’s best teams.
Weaver first helped lead his Hokies to a share of the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference title.
But he continued to sweeten his tribute.
Last summer, the 19-year-old Weaver became the first American golfer to win the British Amateur tournament since Jay Sigel in 1979. With the victory, Weaver instantly qualified for the 2008 Masters and British Open tournaments.
This weekend, he will join fellow Hokie Johnson Wagner, who this past weekend won the Shell Houston Open to qualify for this week’s Masters as well.
Both golfers dedicated their victories to the 32 deceased students from that terrible incident.
Nearly one year after the misery, ill feelings and sadness will still be shared throughout the entire Virginia Tech campus.
But two golfers have already done their part to aid in the healing process.
Each one is likely to have an uncommon number of fans this weekend despite his relative ambiguity, and I will surely be one of them.
Because sometimes sport is more than just sport.
E-mail Andrew at abc10@pitt.edu.
From hosting a “kiki” to relaxing in rural Indiana, students share a wide scope of…
Pitt women’s basketball defeats Delaware State 80-45 in the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday, Nov.…
Recent election results in such states have raised eyebrows nationwide, suggesting a deeper shift in…
Over the past week, President-elect Donald Trump began announcing his nominations for Cabinet secretaries —…
Pitt professors give their opinions on what future reproductive health care will look like for…
Pitt police reported one warrant arrest for indecent exposure at Forbes and Bouquet, the theft…