Volume 120 Issue 5 Friday, October 2, 2015
News
Muskies remember Bryce Skok Christine Holmes Assignment Editor
Student Appreciation Day is Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Businesses on Main Street are offering free samples, snacks, and discounts to Muskingum students.
Arts & Entertainment
John Webb, Elizabeth Files, and James Bohr rehearse Proof. The show dates are Oct. 21 through Oct. 25.
SPORTS
Hailey Dickey scores twice but Muskies fall to Oberlin in home action on Sept. 23.
Silence was all that could be heard on Sept. 23 as grieving students, faculty and staff lined the sidewalks outside Brown Chapel for a prayer service in honor of a Muskingum University student who tragically lost his life. Bryce Skok was the victim of a fatal vehicle accident the afternoon of Sept. 22 on State Route 40, just west of campus. The 18 year old first year student had only been a Muskie since August, but the outpouring of people who filled 488-person capacity of Brown Chapel to honor the young man showed the impact he had made in his short time at Muskingum. Those who knew Skok said they never saw him without a group of friends. Although many in the crowded chapel probably never met Skok, including Muskingum University Chaplain Will Mullins, Mullins said Skok never met a stranger. During his time at Muskingum, Skok was a member of the football team as a long snapper. His teammates and coaches were present at the service, some even leading in prayer and scripture readings. Head football coach Al Logan attributed the turnout at Brown Chapel to Skok’s character. “He was a kid you could like real easy,” said Logan. Mullins began the eulogy by stating he never met Bryce. Mullins never heard the sound of his voice, and never knew what it was like to be in his presence. However, Mullins went on to say that through the tears of Skok’s
Sports Information/ Muskingum University Bryce Skok poses for his 2015 football picture at Muskingum University. Skok tragically died in a car accident on Sept. 22. teammates and through the laughter of those who lived on his floor, everyone who gathered inside Brown Chapel had made Bryce Skok real. “Bryce is so much more than his death,” said Mullins. Two of Skok’s first year friends, Elijah Sims and Maclane Wilder, spent a lot of time with Skok as teammates and floormates in Moore Hall. “He [Skok] was probably my first friend I made here,” said Wilder. Coming in as a freshman without family around and going to football camp is scary at first, Wilder said. But having Skok as a friend made the experience a lot better. Sims said Skok was probably one of the greatest friends he made at Muskingum. He said he and Skok hit it off quickly on the
first day of football camp when Skok visited his room to play video games. “Bryce was not very hard to be friends with at all,” said Sims. Sims and Wilder describe Skok as a fun, funny, energetic, and loy-
al person who always had a smile on his face. “If you never met him [Skok], you missed out,” said Wilder. Following the conclusion of Skok’s service of prayer, the team came together chanting “Bryce” alongside Skok’s mother. A fitting end to the night as Sims said Skok was always one to take part in locker room fun and chanting. “Bryce was always in the middle helping out with the seniors doing it,” said Sims. Sims and Wilder said the death of Skok was like losing a brother for the football team, but they say the team has become a lot closer as a result. They say they played for Skok against Capital and will be playing for Skok in every other game. Logan said Skok probably would be the best teammate anyone could have. Logan said Skok truly exemplifies the Fighting Muskie and what he thinks the football program and Muskingum University represent.
Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta Trooper Joshua Weaver, who was at the scene of the accident, attends the prayer service in Brown Chapel on Sept. 23.