Event calls for remembrance and change

The campus and community came together Feb. 25 to commemorate a loss. Senior and football team captain LaKevin DeBruce was tragically killed in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, while home for Thanksgiving break. The February event provided an opportunity to remember—and to call for change.

“On November 18th, the epidemic of gun violence became something that hit close to home,” said President Susanna Baxter at the gathering. “It wasn’t something we simply saw on television that happened somewhere far away to someone we didn’t know.”

In response to the tragedy, LaTanya Jemison, DeBruce’s mother, started the Ball Out 8 Foundation to raise awareness about the issue of gun violence.

“There are too many unsolved gun violence murders occurring,” she said. “Nobody wants to speak up for fear of retaliation or just not wanting to get involved. We can help put an end to it.”

The event included a walk to Callaway Stadium, a balloon release, a bench dedication in DeBruce’s memory, and the inking of a foundation-sponsored scholarship that will bear his name.

“We made the decision to put the bench in the center of the CEB, where LaKevin spent a lot of his time as he gathered for class, practice and workouts,” said Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Terlynn Olds. “As you know, he touched a lot of lives, and this will be a space to gather and remember him.”

LaKevin “did things right in his life,” said Head Football Coach Wes Dodson. “He showed up every day and did his best. He showed you what it meant to care about someone.

“To keep his memory alive, we’re going to reserve his number eight jersey for someone who shows those characteristics and lives up to his example.”