Blue Raider Coaches, Players Reflect on 9/11

Head Football Coach Andy McCollum
A year after 9/11, reflect and share your thoughts of that tragic day?
It was one of the saddest days I can remember. It is still very hard to believe. I opened the 2002 season on August 7 by calling a team meeting and showing everyone a tape on the four guys who re-routed the plane headed toward the White House. It talked of integrity, character, and faith. Those were three words that really stuck with me. They were four guys who had never met, were from different places, but they came together as one on that day. What we are doing on the football field is very minor compared to that, but when we talk about team that is what we talk about. I think everything has been put into perspective for everyone.

Head Baseball Coach Steve Peterson
A year after 9/11, reflect and share your thoughts of that tragic day?
It brought back memories of what I went through when President Kennedy was assassinated. I also understand what my parents felt like when Pearl Harbor was attacked. As bad as 9/11 was, it definitely shows that Americans can unite and have pride in their country.

How has 9/11 changed the way you approach your life?
I take nothing for granted and take each day one day at a time.

Baseball Player Chuck Akers
A year after 9/11, reflect and share your thoughts of that tragic day?
We are obviously talking about an event that shocked everyone. I can remember waking up that morning, turning on the TV and finding nothing but stations covering what had happened. Sometimes as Americans we find ourselves feeling invincible to events like 9/11. How could that happen in the greatest country in the world? Not us. It obviously made us reflect on the freedoms that we have and how fortunate we are in what we do have. I think that 9/11 really touched home with many people because our freedom was being attacked and even though New York City is a thousand miles away, it is part of our country that is America.

How has 9/11 changed the way you approach your life?
I think that it is easy to see the way that 9/11 has affected everyone and the way they go about their business. Immediately following the events it was obvious that people were more giving and appreciative of what they have and not so quick to take things for granted. I found myself thinking of what it would be like to lose people I loved. That is what the children of New York City and the surrounding area had to deal with -- the loss of loved ones. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, girlfriends -- the list goes on and on of those who died on 9/11. I felt fortunate to have those individuals still in my life to turn to for comfort. I found myself realizing that other things aren't quite as important as the people named above. Why do other things when you could spend time with the important things in your life, your loved ones?

Soccer Player Emily Carter
A year after 9/11, reflect and share your thoughts of that tragic day?
I will never forget that day. I remember getting out of the shower when my roommate told me to come in her room. She had the news on and I was shocked. I had started watching right before the second plane hit the World Trade Center. At first I really didn't understand what had happened but once I got to class it was all that was discussed. I didn't even have class that day. Right when I got home I called my mom and dad to talk about it. I knew they were nowhere near New York but just to talk to them made me feel so much better.

Head Men's Tennis Coach Dale Short
Well, what a day and moment in history. It changed my way of thinking as to how the rest of the world sees us as a society; especially us in the western culture. It has made me treasure the time we have here on earth more as well as relish my family and friends more....

Assistant Baseball Coach Jim McGuire
A year after 9/11, reflect and share your thoughts of that tragic day?
I never thought an event such as 9/11 could ever happen in the United States. You see it happen every day in other countries and never think about it until it happens here.

How has 9/11 changed the way you approach your job?
I don't think that it has changed the way that I approach my job but I do think about the possibility of it happening again.

Head Track Coach Dean Hayes
A year after 9/11, reflect and share your thoughts of that tragic day?
9/11 was really a wake-up call. It makes you think and appreciate the freedoms we as Americans have. Hopefully we appreciate all who died in 9/11 and all who died for our freedom in past times.

Last year, when we ran a cross country meet after 9/11, I ended my comment sheet about the meet with the following summary: "This has been a painful week, but I hope that Saturday you have defied the situation in terms of yourself. Tragedy like what you have just seen is a way of life. You have been blessed to have lived (even Geoffrey Lagat, who can tell you about the Embassy in Kenya) in the US where we probably are arrogant about our freedom. That freedom unfortunately allows such things to happen. Freedom is not free - it has a price - and someone pays it."

How has 9/11 changed the way you approach your job?
In terms of approaching my job now, it does make me appreciate the opportunities I have to have this type of job. It makes me appreciate "Freedom", especially in light of some of the countries I have visited and the lack of Freedom those people have enjoyed. Many parts of the world are places to visit, but not to live.

Head Women's Golf Coach Rachael Moore
A year after 9/11, reflect and share your thoughts of that tragic day?
The shock, the madness, the confusion.... I can only imagine the pain of having lost someone on this tragic day. Our country suffered and felt the pain along with those that had lost loved ones and friends. I feel as though our country has won this battle. It has brought our country closer together and united us once again.

How has 9/11 changed the way you approach your life?
It has definitely put things into perspective. You learn to live in the moment. This brings with it a sense of fulfillment each day. You take what talent god gives you and you play hard. This only makes a stronger team.

Head Women's Volleyball Coach Lisa Kissee
A year after 9/11, reflect and share your thoughts of that tragic day?
The events of September 11th made me so sad for the victims and their families and so angry at the attackers and their country... it was hard to imagine how people could harbor so much hate... I wanted to go after the attackers myself - I even imagined going there... within a few months my faith convicted me that my anger was an extension of the attackers hate because I was allowing the anger to fester, hate was still winning. Because anger wasn't accomplishing anything, the only solution for me was to make my daily life a better one for the people who I come in contact with every day.

How has 9/11 changed the way you approach your job?
My job used to be the center of my life; it is still important, but in a much better way - the Lord is the center of my life and serving Him is my ultimate priority and I do that by interacting with the people in my job and personal life with God's guidance and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. For people like me who do not have the power to affect decisions about wars and government relations, September 11th has reminded us that we need to affect our own workplaces, neighborhoods and families in a more positive way so maybe we can encourage love and suppress the hatred instead of hatred suppressing the world.

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