The System that Failed.

Desiring to watch some college basketball, as I usually do on a Saturday afternoon, I came across a documentary I had yet seen. It was about Hank Gathers, a college basketball player from Loyala Maramount who died during a game in 1990. Hank Gathers grew up in the streets of Pennsylvania along side his friend and teammate Bo Kimble. Through basketball, Hank and Bo were able to attend the University of Southern California. However, after a dissapointing 11-17 season, the coach was fired, and they made the decision to transfer. They later found a home at Loyala Maramount, a small school known for its coach, Paul Westwood, and his notorious strategy dubbed "The System". The System, a fast-paced strategy that involved a constant full court press and quick shots/layups, was at first, not to successful. However, with the arrival of athletic 6'7 Gathers and quick 6'4 Bo Kimble, the system obtained immediate success. The system allowed Loyala to average over 120 points per game (the national average then was around 72 points per game) and allowed Gathers to lead the entire NCAA in rebounds (13.7) and in points (32.6). After two successful years, Gathers career was tragically cut short after a heart condition caused him to miss a game, and later, miss the rest of his life. 

Listening to his friends and family talk about Hank, I came to realize how unusual Hank's death really was. To everyone, Hank was a beast. Very strong, very tall, great athleticism, was able to run the floor, and, what people most about him: his relentless desire to work and improve. In fact, Hank had clapsed weeks before during a game, but, being Hank, he quickly got up to say he was okay. Even after being diagnosed with a large heart, he was determined to beat out this condition and not let it effect his play. To many, Hank was an unstopable force, but everyone soon discovered that like everyone else, Hank was human. Everyone that knew Hank Gathers, or college basketball for that matter, were completely surprised how rapidly everything happenned and how quickly Hank Gathers career ended. His suprising death, like that of the death of a King Hamlet, goes to show how quickly life can end. In Hamlet, Hamlet's father, who seemed to have much going for him, had his life aburptly ended by his brother. Both of these are examples of how life, like anything else, is a previlage that often times is fragile. That being said, we should not take it for granted. Too often we get caught up in our lives. There will be times where you will believe your life can't get anyworse or times where you believe you are invincible and forget the consequences of your decisions. The point is, we forget that we are blessed to be living in the first place. So as you read this blog post, though I know it isn't November, please take the time to appreciate your existence on earth and the presence of those around you.