All too often it seems in the past few years has news broken of an on-campus or school community tragedy. As written about here, whether the act of a deranged individual, negligence by involved parties, or simply the result of unfortunate circumstances, death in a college environment strikes more deeply than nearly anywhere else. Perhaps it is the feeling of vulnerability that most affects people; others more directly impacted struggle with the sense of loss and grieving. However, one hopes that, if handled correctly, overcoming an obstacle, even one as significant as the death of members of a community, will more tightly unify said group.
Because of this, a tragedy, in its own way, creates a great deal of pressure for administrators. Handle the situation poorly and risk worsening an already terrible time. However, treating the situation with compassion and aplomb can not only help reduce the pain felt by thousands, but perhaps even, with time, assist in making the tragic into something constructive for those affected.
To be frank, in the greater scheme of the universe, the athletics in which this site dabbles matter very little. This might seem doubly true when setting sports next to life-and-death scenarios. But if helping people to heal from life-altering situations is considered significant, then perhaps athletics do have an important place. To try and get a grip on the obligation and opportunity athletic departments have in the face of tragedy on campus, Stony Brook University Director of Athletics, Mr. Shawn Heilbron, offered his expert insight into a difficult subject.
On the role athletics, a meaningful part of the campus experience for athletes and non-athletes alike, play during a serious time:
“The primary reason why I enjoy working on a college campus is because of the students and the energy that they bring. We are one family that comes together in good times and bad…In many cases, athletic events provide an opportunity for the campus community to come together following a tragic event. It is important that we understand the sensitivity of a given situation and work with campus leaders to determine how we should recognize these events at games.”
On how athletic departments should move forward in disseminating a message of support and communicate with a wounded campus:
“We are in constant communication with the President’s office as well as our Vice President of Communications regarding our responsibility as a department. Messaging is extremely critical so we will always take our lead from the campus.”
On who dictates the direction a department will take to support a grieving campus:
“The AD takes on a much different role when a tragic event takes place with a student-athlete. We view student-athletes as members of our extended family so we have a deep personal connection to each one of them. The resources that we have on our campus mean that we are never alone in any situation and can count upon our colleagues to help manage any situation.
On memorializing events in future years and an athletic department’s obligation therein:
“All decisions related to memorializing significant events must be made in concert with the President and other campus leaders. The athletic department is among the most visible aspects of a university so utilizing a game to honor an individual or an event makes the most sense. Our role is to be the best partner that we can for the university community.”
On his own firsthand experience comforting a campus:
“During my time at Oregon State, we lost a student-athlete suddenly and I saw firsthand how a department comes together to rally around a young man’s memory. There is nothing worse than experiencing the death of a student-athlete and, as painful as it is, the Athletics family is there to provide a support system for everyone who is impacted.”
Handling a grieving community is, at least in part, the unfortunate purview of an athletic department. The way athletics foster a close-knit campus also gives them the power to assist in a dark time. Working in conjunction with other administrators, recognizing when memorializing is appropriate, and creating tactful, effective strategies require a deft touch that grows with years of experience. Although seemingly inconsequential when viewed from a grander scope, the distraction of competition, the unity of a team, or the connectedness of like-minded fans prove athletics’ worth when a situation is most dire.
Thanks to Mr. Shawn Heilbron for his contributions to this article.
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