University's athletics brings together teams, campus after terrorist attacks

While the world stopped and stared in horror at the events of Sept. 11, the student-athletes at Princeton were not given all the time to grieve and reflect that most found so important.

They took President Shirley Tilghman's words to heart, returning to their normal daily practice schedule within days of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Not only did they simply play through these troubled times, but they triumphed during them, and helped both themselves and the rest of the campus to regain that sense of normalcy that they needed.

Only two days after the attacks, the men's soccer team took the field against Farleigh Dickinson for its second match of the season.

"It was difficult to think about the game at a time like this," head coach Jim Barlow '91 said.

The result of the game was a 1-0 victory.

The football team also wanted to compete that weekend, and voted unanimously to play their game against Lafayette on September 15. However, at the last minute, Lafayette decided against it. It was never made up. "We wanted to show that even though the events were tragic, they would not affect us in any manner," sophomore defensive tackle Chris Lebeis said.

"We lost one of our games, and that definitely hurt our preparation," head coach Roger Hughes said. "That was one-tenth of our season."

Despite the missed game, what impressed the coaches most was the way that September 11 brought the team together. As they leaned on each other for support they formed an even tighter bond. Simply being in a team atmosphere helped the athletes work through these tough times.

"Being able to practice and play gave them an escape," Hughes said. "[Playing] gave them time away to reestablish some sense of normalcy."

"The ability to be in a group helped everyone," Barlow said. "The team really responded to the events by cherishing every opportunity to [compete] and to be with a group of guys who cared."

The importance of the fall athletic teams continuing to compete was not only beneficial to themselves, but also to the rest of the Princeton community.

The athletes provided a model of how to move past the tragedy and overcome the losses that had been suffered. In addition, attending sporting events was one more way for the community to live their lives the way they used to.

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Now, on the one year anniversary of the tragedy, these players will again be called on to maintain a sense of normalcy while also taking the time to reflect on the courageous acts of others.

"As we approach the anniversary, I think it will be important that we all take time to reflect on the events, honor the people who lost their lives and continue to work to establish peace," women's head soccer coach Julie Shackford said.

These athletes also have to focus on the goals for their respective seasons.

The football team is considered by many Ivy League followers as one of the best teams in the league. The field hockey team is one of the best in the country, making the Final Four last season, and the women's soccer team looks to repeat as Ivy champs.

As the fall sports season approaches, Princeton will never forget the events that transpired a year ago today, but also looks to a brighter future, and in their own way, the student-athletes are helping the University do just that.