In this time of tragedy, our athletics programs offer a space for our community to unite and inspire change.

    

 I know this blog has been strictly sport-related, but yesterday's events have made me feel like this article is as relevant as ever.

    The tragic events that hit Florida State yesterday afternoon have changed many lives throughout Tallahassee and left the town in a heavy silence. It's an experience that no person or family should go through, and for many students, this has been their second experience with this tragedy. 

    I offer my deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. As a community, we will mourn your loss alongside you. For the students who were stuck in the middle of that terrible situation, your fellow Seminoles are here to offer you a place of comfort and support as we get through this tough time together.

    This has caused so much trauma in the students who were caught in the middle of the crossfire, the faculty who risked their lives to protect the students, and the families surrounding all those involved. As a university and a community, we could let this tragedy keep us down. However, the response taken by FSU's president and athletic departments has shown that we will take a collective stand and show the world what the Unconquered Spirit really is.

    In this cruel world that we live in, it is easy for people to begin to point fingers at whatever legislative policy they believe is the core issue, and prevent them from seeing the bigger picture. Everyone at FSU and in Tallahassee has been impacted by this event in one way or another, and we should come together and unite as one rather than let some of the ideologies in our society tear us apart.

    Throughout history, sport has been used as a great unifier. Look at Sammy Sosa running the bases with the American Flag in the first Cubs home game after 9/11. How about the Miracle on Ice when our country came together and supported those college kids on their way to defeating the world's best hockey team in 1980?

    Have you ever experienced a sold-out FSU football game? 85,000 fans belting the war chant, singing Eastbound and Down, and rallying behind one team, all united in a common goal: victory. 

    Today's society is so motivated to divide us, but our athletics provide a unique opportunity for students, athletes, coaches, faculty, and fans across the country to come together in one place and be united. Regardless of race, gender, or religion, when you wear the Garnett and Gold, you are a Seminole.

    Our athletic department put this on full display yesterday afternoon. Michael Alford and the other members of the department handed out hundreds of hot dogs and hamburgers at Dick Howser to FSU students amid the traumatic events. This kind of gesture demonstrates the strength of our FSU community.

    We now have the opportunity to become a beacon of unity in our country. The FSU brand is one of the biggest and most renowned brands in the world. If we, as a Seminole community, can come together and show our united support for our softball, baseball, football, women's soccer, basketball, and the other athletics at his university, it will send a message that we will not be put down or conquered by society's divisive ideologies and remain strong.

    Nelson Mandela communicated this point best when he said, "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does." 

    We will continue to grieve this event together and provide comfort to one another as one Seminole strong community.