Campus remembers Cassidy Ball

By Laura Luettger
EDITOR IN CHIEF

By Laura Luettger, EDITOR IN CHIEF Students gathered Sept. 18 to remember the life of senior Cassidy Ball. The candelight vigil was held outside the Union, where family, friends, classmates and professors gathered to celebrate Ball's life and contributions to the Brockport community.

Candlelight illuminated the tear-stained faces of SUNY Brockport students as the campus gathered to remember one of its own, Cassidy Ball, Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Darnell Pierce, Brockport Student Government president, began the line of guest speakers by saying, “[Cassidy’s] memory will live in all of our hearts.”

Ball took his own life Saturday, Sept. 15.  The candlelight vigil celebrated his life and contributions to the Brockport community.  Many students came to remember Ball and family members joined as well.

Ball was an accounting and business information systems major with a minor in economics.  He was also active in the student government, a member of the honors college and a TRAX student manager. He had previously been a member of the cross country team as well.

“Remember the promise he had,” Reverend Jim Mulcahy, of the Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church said, remarking on Ball’s contributions. “Remember how precious life is in his honor.”

Each speaker commented on Ball’s wit and sense of humor. Ball’s professor, Dr. Charles Callahan, told a story where Ball joked about how professors weren’t paid enough when he saw the professors hoard food after a luncheon. Callahan also commented on Ball’s punctuality to his 8 a.m. class and his willingness to contribute.

Dr. Kenneth O’Brien, director of the honors program, said he will remember Ball for three things: his “fierce intelligence, work ethic and ready wit.”

The honors program gave the school a mourning flag in honor of Ball, which flew the night of the vigil.

O’Brien also said Ball “distinguished himself as a student leader and friend.”

Friends of Ball also had a chance to speak at the vigil, and Will Mitchell, Tom Johnson and Matt Derx all added their own memories and condolences.

“I was going to go to work someday and it was going to be, Mr. Ball, my boss,” Derx joked, remembering Ball’s dedication and intelligence.

Johnson also commented on Ball’s dedication with tales of late-night outings to hang posters when he and Ball were running for BSG office.  Johnson recalled how Ball literally got down on his hands and knees to allow Johnson to stand on his back to hang up posters.

“Any man who would do that for me was someone I knew I could count on,” Johnson said. “I will always have him in my heart.”

Mitchell added that Ball was three things: loyal, driven and humorous.

Margot VanEtten, the campus minister at the Newman Center, concluded by saying, “Although we’ll never understand, we must move forward as he would have wanted us to.”

A reception was held following the vigil in the Gallery in the Union, offering students a chance to speak with counselors and each other.