Gone, but never forgotten

Watch over us, guys

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a commentary in the FSView about Sigma Nu's philanthropy basketball tournament, "Ballin' 4 Barrett", which took place in Tully Gym on Saturday, Feb. 28.

This article really meant a lot to me while I was writing it, nearly tearing up at different points throughout the writing process. I feel like I should post it somewhere every chance I get. Seeing as how I have my own blog, I think it's absolutely appropriate and necessary to post it here...

GONE, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

For everyone reading this commentary, I want you to take a look around you, breathe in that fresh, north Florida air and realize how fortunate you are to be students here at Florida State University — because in the blink of an eye, it can all be taken away from you.

Once a year, since making one of the best decisions of my life to join the Sigma Nu fraternity in the fall of 2005, I get an honest, bittersweet reminder to do exactly that.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, Sigma Nu will be hosting its annual philanthropy, “Ballin’ 4 Barrett,” at Tully Gym beginning at 9 a.m. The event is a sorority basketball tournament to honor Barrett Burchak, a Sigma Nu who lost his life in a fatal car accident on Oct. 4, 2004. It’s only fitting for this philanthropy to deal with basketball, given that basketball is a sport Barrett held so close to his heart.

While meant to be a fun and enjoyable basketball tournament for everyone involved, the purpose of the philanthropy goes far beyond the basketball court and seeks to give everyone a great sense of pride and accomplishment knowing they are contributing to a meaningful cause.

Each participating sorority pays an entry fee into the tournament, and Sigma Nu has collected donations from a number of local and out-of-town businesses. All of this money goes toward the Barrett Burchak Scholarship, which is given each year to a graduating senior from a Florida high school.

Neither I, nor nearly anyone currently walking this campus, ever had the chance to meet Barrett, but based on the stories I’ve heard from older Sigma Nu’s and the fact that we continue to make this our philanthropy, it’s more than enough evidence to show that Barrett was a magnificent human being.

There are only two people in this world I miss that I’ve never met — one is my grandfather on my father’s side; the other is Barrett Burchak. That’s why “Ballin’ 4 Barrett” is such a bittersweet event for me.

It makes me happy knowing the benefit of our philanthropy, but it pains me at the same time knowing I never had the opportunity to meet this person who had such a profound impact on everyone in his life.

I’m not the only person who feels this way. I share these emotions with all of Sigma Nu. If that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t all be gathering together as one in Tully on Saturday to remember our fallen brother.

We always say this is the most important event of the year, and it’s not even a close race. Formal in New Orleans — forget about it. Spring Weekend — enjoy the back seat. Sigma Nu takes this philanthropy very seriously and would love to see as many supporters at the event as possible. That’s why we’re cordially inviting everyone to stop by Tully Saturday and pay respect to a great brother, son, student, friend and person.

Also, Sigma Nu will be remembering another lost brother at the event­ — Nimish Khanal — who, similar to Barrett, passed away on Dec. 21, 2007 due to injuries suffered in a car accident a week prior to his death.

Unlike Barrett, I had the chance to meet and befriend Nimish for a few months prior to his passing. In that short time span, I got to know a young man who would do anything in his power to make somebody else’s life better — even if it meant putting his own well-being on the backburner.

Nimish was a selfless guy, who despite only being around Sigma Nu for a short time, served as a role model to every brother in the fraternity.

If everyone took a page from Nimish’s life and applied it to their own, there’s no question the world would be a better place. His actions deserve and demand our respect, and we intend on giving our respect to the fullest extent Saturday.

It is unfortunate to lose friends under such tragic circumstances.

I’m sure many of you reading this can share our fraternity’s pain in losing a close friend to a premature death.

We understand, however, that they rest in a better place now and would be proud and appreciative of the way we remember them — if that’s any consolation.

Rest in peace, Barrett and Nimish.

We love you and miss you guys so much, and we know come Saturday you’ll be looking down upon us with smiling faces.