Archive: 3/17/2009 12:34 PM
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Jackets tip caps in honor of Barnett
Courtesy of the Mobile Press Register
Thursday, March 05, 2009
McGill-Toolen will take time out this weekend to posthumously honor one of its own.
Former athlete Chris Barnett, 22, died from injuries sustained in a Jan. 20 car crash in Charleston, S.C. A three-sports standout at McGill-Toolen, he is best remembered for his play as a catcher for the Yellow Jackets.
Coach David Weems and the baseball program will honor Barnett's memory with a pregame ceremony before Friday's game at the Lipscomb Complex.
"His family is just near and dear to our program," said Diamond Club co-president Peggy Buggs, who helped plan this weekend's activities. "It was the coaches' idea. They came to the conclusion that they wanted to do something. Chris was an exceptional athlete and an exceptional kid."
The ceremony will begin at about 5:30 p.m. and feature the unveiling of a permanent plaque honoring Barnett's contributions to the baseball program and the school, Buggs said.
Barnett's family — his father Scott, mother Jennie and younger brother Zach, a 2007 McGill graduate who also played baseball — are expected to attend.
"Coach Weems came to the funeral, and he said he wanted to do something for Chris for all he's meant to the program," Scott Barnett said this week. "I said that was fine with me, whatever he wanted to and thought was appropriate."
Scott Barnett is expected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Yellow Jackets' game against Davidson Friday. With first pitch set for 6 p.m., the game is the school's 2009 home opener.
McGill-Toolen will continue its opening weekend with a Saturday doubleheader against Tate (Fla.) and West Florida. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
An alumni game, fish fry and social will follow the doubleheader. (For more information on the weekend festivities, visit www.mctbaseball.com.)
Give McGill-Toolen credit for not forgetting about Chris Barnett and his influence on the athletic field and in the classroom. Too many times, especially in college and pro sports, athletes are seen as nothing more than disposable, interchangeable parts that serve as a means for winning.
High school sports are supposed to be a different world — a place where coaches and players build lifelong bonds, far removed from the win-at-all-costs ethos of pro sports.
That's exactly the kind of program Weems runs, Scott Barnett said.
"That's just the type person he is," said Scott Barnett. "He always kept in touch with us and Chris. He would text his (former) baseball players and keep in touch."
Chris Barnett spent a year at LSU before moving to Charleston, S.C. He initially worked in the construction industry, but more recently had become interested in police work and had joined the force at the College of Charleston.
Barnett clearly had plans for his life, a plan that included service to others while also earning a living. Then, his life tragically ended in that January car crash.
Scott Barnett said he and his family remain thankful for the support they've received from Weems and other McGill-Toolen staffers.
"Here's a kid who hasn't been in the program for five years, and they're still interested," Scott Barnett said.
Contact Josh Bean at:
jbean@press-register.com
His column appears on Thursdays in the Press-Register.
Courtesy of the Mobile Press Register
Thursday, March 05, 2009
McGill-Toolen will take time out this weekend to posthumously honor one of its own.
Former athlete Chris Barnett, 22, died from injuries sustained in a Jan. 20 car crash in Charleston, S.C. A three-sports standout at McGill-Toolen, he is best remembered for his play as a catcher for the Yellow Jackets.
Coach David Weems and the baseball program will honor Barnett's memory with a pregame ceremony before Friday's game at the Lipscomb Complex.
"His family is just near and dear to our program," said Diamond Club co-president Peggy Buggs, who helped plan this weekend's activities. "It was the coaches' idea. They came to the conclusion that they wanted to do something. Chris was an exceptional athlete and an exceptional kid."
The ceremony will begin at about 5:30 p.m. and feature the unveiling of a permanent plaque honoring Barnett's contributions to the baseball program and the school, Buggs said.
Barnett's family — his father Scott, mother Jennie and younger brother Zach, a 2007 McGill graduate who also played baseball — are expected to attend.
"Coach Weems came to the funeral, and he said he wanted to do something for Chris for all he's meant to the program," Scott Barnett said this week. "I said that was fine with me, whatever he wanted to and thought was appropriate."
Scott Barnett is expected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Yellow Jackets' game against Davidson Friday. With first pitch set for 6 p.m., the game is the school's 2009 home opener.
McGill-Toolen will continue its opening weekend with a Saturday doubleheader against Tate (Fla.) and West Florida. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
An alumni game, fish fry and social will follow the doubleheader. (For more information on the weekend festivities, visit www.mctbaseball.com.)
Give McGill-Toolen credit for not forgetting about Chris Barnett and his influence on the athletic field and in the classroom. Too many times, especially in college and pro sports, athletes are seen as nothing more than disposable, interchangeable parts that serve as a means for winning.
High school sports are supposed to be a different world — a place where coaches and players build lifelong bonds, far removed from the win-at-all-costs ethos of pro sports.
That's exactly the kind of program Weems runs, Scott Barnett said.
"That's just the type person he is," said Scott Barnett. "He always kept in touch with us and Chris. He would text his (former) baseball players and keep in touch."
Chris Barnett spent a year at LSU before moving to Charleston, S.C. He initially worked in the construction industry, but more recently had become interested in police work and had joined the force at the College of Charleston.
Barnett clearly had plans for his life, a plan that included service to others while also earning a living. Then, his life tragically ended in that January car crash.
Scott Barnett said he and his family remain thankful for the support they've received from Weems and other McGill-Toolen staffers.
"Here's a kid who hasn't been in the program for five years, and they're still interested," Scott Barnett said.
Contact Josh Bean at:
jbean@press-register.com
His column appears on Thursdays in the Press-Register.
