Faulkner mourns death of two football players
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Friends, teammates killed in crash - Ryne Wilhite, left, and Teirson Hollis, both sophomores on the Faulkner University Eagles football team, died instantly April 21 when their car struck an 18-wheeler on Highway 82 in Chilton County, Ala.
Friends, teammates killed in crash - Ryne Wilhite, left, and Teirson Hollis, both sophomores on the Faulkner University Eagles football team, died instantly April 21 when their car struck an 18-wheeler on Highway 82 in Chilton County, Ala.
Faulkner University is mourning the deaths of two of its student-athletes in a car accident early April 21.
Teirson Hollis, 20, and Ryne Wilhite, 19, both sophomores on the Eagles’ football team, died instantly when their car struck an 18-wheeler on Highway 82 in Chilton County, Ala.
Wilhite was driving when the crash happened at 5:10 a.m. just outside Maplesville. The two were returning to Montgomery after visiting a friend in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama State Troopers are investigating.
“I’ve never been through anything like this — it hurts so much,’’ Faulkner head coach Gregg Baker said. “T and Ryne were both great kids, two wonderful Christian young men. The only thing that is helping us right now is the fact that we all know exactly where they are, and that’s with our God in heaven.’’
Hollis and Wilhite were both offensive linemen for the NAIA-affiliated university, with Hollis having been with the program since its inaugural season in 2007. Wilhite had just transferred to Faulkner this semester and went through his first spring practice last month. Hollis, a native of Douglasville, Ga., played high school football at Robert S. Alexander High School. A native of New Albany, Miss., Wilhite played for Northeast Mississippi Community College last season.
The Faulkner University Athletic Department created an online memorial for the two players. A black ribbon with the Eagles logo is shown with their player photos.
“Both of them were always smiling and joking around,” Baker added. “They may no longer with us here, but T and Ryne will always be a part of this program. Always.’’
Flags on the Faulkner campus were flying at half-staff by mid-day. The Faulkner football team was informed of the players' deaths by Baker and his staff Tuesday morning. Simultaneously, Faulkner president Billy D. Hilyer informed the rest of the student body, faculty and administration. Grief counselors are available to everyone on campus.
“This is a very difficult day for our family,’’ said Hilyer, who also addressed the football team Tuesday. “My primary mission on this campus is to be there for our students and to help provide them what they need to earn a quality Christian education. In many ways, they are like my children. And this just breaks all of our hearts. The message that it should send to everyone is just how much we need God, who we know also lost a child. And it’s the blood of Jesus that we embrace today.’’
A memorial service was held on April 27.
Teirson Hollis, 20, and Ryne Wilhite, 19, both sophomores on the Eagles’ football team, died instantly when their car struck an 18-wheeler on Highway 82 in Chilton County, Ala.
Wilhite was driving when the crash happened at 5:10 a.m. just outside Maplesville. The two were returning to Montgomery after visiting a friend in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama State Troopers are investigating.
“I’ve never been through anything like this — it hurts so much,’’ Faulkner head coach Gregg Baker said. “T and Ryne were both great kids, two wonderful Christian young men. The only thing that is helping us right now is the fact that we all know exactly where they are, and that’s with our God in heaven.’’
Hollis and Wilhite were both offensive linemen for the NAIA-affiliated university, with Hollis having been with the program since its inaugural season in 2007. Wilhite had just transferred to Faulkner this semester and went through his first spring practice last month. Hollis, a native of Douglasville, Ga., played high school football at Robert S. Alexander High School. A native of New Albany, Miss., Wilhite played for Northeast Mississippi Community College last season.
The Faulkner University Athletic Department created an online memorial for the two players. A black ribbon with the Eagles logo is shown with their player photos.
“Both of them were always smiling and joking around,” Baker added. “They may no longer with us here, but T and Ryne will always be a part of this program. Always.’’
Flags on the Faulkner campus were flying at half-staff by mid-day. The Faulkner football team was informed of the players' deaths by Baker and his staff Tuesday morning. Simultaneously, Faulkner president Billy D. Hilyer informed the rest of the student body, faculty and administration. Grief counselors are available to everyone on campus.
“This is a very difficult day for our family,’’ said Hilyer, who also addressed the football team Tuesday. “My primary mission on this campus is to be there for our students and to help provide them what they need to earn a quality Christian education. In many ways, they are like my children. And this just breaks all of our hearts. The message that it should send to everyone is just how much we need God, who we know also lost a child. And it’s the blood of Jesus that we embrace today.’’
A memorial service was held on April 27.
Online Exclusive from April 2009.
ON THIS PAGE
Full Story | Photo Gallery | Comments
Full Story | Photo Gallery | Comments
PHOTO GALLERY
You Must Have Flash Version 8 or higher
installed to view this Photo Gallery.
You Must Have Flash Version 8 or higher
installed to view this Photo Gallery.
READERS RESPOND
The Chronicle welcomes and encourages
feedback that promotes thoughtful and respectful discussion. Letters and comments should be 750 characters or less and may be edited for length or clarity. Comments to the print or online edition are considered to be letters to the editor and may be published.
I was late check such a sad news about our late brethren who happened to be in fatal accident. May their soul rest in perfect peace and my condolence to the bereaved family and the entire church congregation in the U.S.A
Maxwell K.W.Agyarko
Ghana
 |
Maxwell K.W. Agyarko Oforikrom Church of Christ Kumasi, Ashanti - Ghana June 16, 2009 |
O What a sad news to hear this, I and my congregation will keep thier families in Prayers and (II Samuel: 12: 16 25), Please meditate this passage and especially 23rd verse.
We express deep condolences to their families
Brethren & sisters this should encourage us to be more committed to doing Gods will so we all can join them in heaven.God bless
from all of us.
Jeevan Jessy
jeevanjessy@yahoo.com
church of christ (India)
|
JEEVAN JESSY Hyderbad.a.p, - India April 23, 2009 |
How sad. This has to be the nightmare every parent dreads. I have two children of my own attending Freed-Hardeman, I don't know how I would handle getting such horrible news. I am keeping both families and Faulkner in my prayers, and I will ask my congregation to remember them also. May God bless all.
|
Tim Walker North Augusta, SC - United States April 22, 2009 |
What a sad news.My sincere condolence to the bereaved family an the churches of christ in the states.I sometimes dont understand why God allows things like this to happen to his children.But as he said in all things we should give thanks.Brethren this should encourage us to be more committed to doing Gods will so we all can join them in heaven.God bless u.Afedi T.T.-Ghana West Africa
|
AFEDI TETTEH ACCRA, - Ghana April 22, 2009 |
feedback that promotes thoughtful and respectful discussion. Letters and comments should be 750 characters or less and may be edited for length or clarity. Comments to the print or online edition are considered to be letters to the editor and may be published.
NEWSLETTER
ADVERTISEMENTS
ADVERTISEMENTS
