Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

YEAR IN REVIEW The Red & Black Finals Edition | Thursday, December 7, 2006 | 7A Brophy still part of players’ lives Those near him reminded daily By PETER STEINBAUER psteinbau@randb.com A smile creeps across Dave Bliss’ face as he speaks of his late best friend Kevin Brophy. It’s a smile that convinces you the 6-foot-10 center is absolutely sincere about everything he’s saying. “It’s something that I think about everyday,” Bliss said of Brophy’s July 20 death. “He was such a part of our team that you can’t go a day without seeing reminders.” Brophy’s death shocked the University community five months ago. Basketball fans and those who knew Brophy showed support throughout the semester. Students often approached Bliss and said, “You don’t know me, but I knew Brophy and just want ed to say hi.” “It’s nice to kind of feel that presence around and the student body supporting us,” Bliss said. Mollie Ramage, a junior from Savannah, planned to marry Brophy. For her, the semester was difficult. “I go to bed thinking about him,” she said. “I still sleep with his hoodie.” Ramage remembers the good times, and of course wonders about the car acci dent that took his life. “He didn’t deserve that,” she said. She remembers kayaking down the Broad River with Brophy last summer. Everything was perfect then. “For about an hour, we laid down our paddles and floated together down the river,” she said. Ramage draws on Brophy’s work ethic for strength. She sat alone in Stegeman at late one night, watching him while he worked out without him knowing. She watched as he did sprints — down and back, down and back — well into the night. “That was so perfect,” Ramage said. “That was sup posed to be it.” Bliss believes Brophy’s attitude and maturity rubbed off on sophomores Mike Mercer and Billy Humphrey. Brophy often hung out with Mercer and Humphrey off the court. “He was able to build a relationship with a lot of guys who took his leadership,” Bliss said. “I think Mike and Billy were especially (influenced). That’s evi dent this year in how much they’ve matured. BROPHY T h e , i r approach is just night and day from last year.” Brophy’s death has become an inspirational source for the basketball team. Mercer said he thinks of Brophy whenever he steps on the court. “We’re a lot harder working because we realize life is too short not to take advantage of every second,” he said. Another tribute to Brophy is a black patch on the upper right side of each player’s jer sey inscribed with “DO IT FOR BROPH.” The padding on the basketball goals in Stegeman Coliseum show the same insignia. Brophy was honored in a video tribute during a game against Western Kentucky on Nov. 14. Furthermore, the Athletic Association established the Kevin Brophy Memorial Basketball Scholarship endowment in early November. A “Do It For Broph” 5K run on Nov. 5 netted more than $7,400 for the fund. NEED A NEW PLACE TO STUDY? mini's space Come in and have Qoffee on us! * Full-Service Coffee Bar ■ Internet Access • Good Alternative to the SLC or Your Apartment We’re on the corner of Oconee and Williams street - right next to the Steeple. To learn more about Nugi’s Space & our student organization at UGA please visit our website www.nuci.org Mon-Fri 10am-2am Sat-Sun 12pm-2am *1 ‘Closing times occa- nuci s space sionally vary, please 1 call after 10pm. sruntnr oftariNiiniioN -clip coupon beloui 1 free foffee This coupon valid For one free coffee drink at Mud's Space o 396 Oconee Street I Athens, Gfl 30601 I 706.227.1515 I iuiuuj.nuci.org Photo Courtesy GeorgiaDogs.com A Kevin Brophy died in a July 20 auto accident but his teammates still have him fresh on their minds. Congratulations Lindsey Boxxe Last Tuesday's Sudoku Puzzle winner! Lindsey's correctly completed Sudoku puzzle from The Red & Black was drawn from entries submitted to The Red & Black office. Lindsey wins one large-one topping pan pizza, one medium-one topping pizza, one order of garlic parmesan breadsticks, and one Sweetreat from Papa John's Pizza. Solve Tuesday's Sudoku puzzle in The Red & Black and you could win! One entry per person, no photocopies. The Red&Black 540 Baxter St. - Athens - across from Bmmby Hall Downtown Athens 706-543-3473 Mon.-Sat. 10am-5:30pm Experience the Teslar* Effect and let yourself feel more retaxed, more rested and less tense. Try it. Wear it. Live it. Feel it. OTslir 'sdaCcrpawvi2006 *1 (BCrtfl -wwvphi^sItiiwjUf.cari SINGLE SPACE LIVING NEW YORK STYLE STUDIOS MODERN AMENITIES RENT $650 AFFORDABLE SNprri tat* : • ON CAMPUS LUXURY LIVING lo 3G • ON UGA BUSLINE r • NO SECURITY DEPOSIT Wf \ I. I 1 ■ OR APPLICATION FEE • RENT INCLUDES TRASH, WATER & II* \ LAUNDRY FACILITY OFF CAMPUS LIVING • LARGE 4BR / 3BA TOWNHOUSES • RENT$1200 • PRELEASE NOW, PAY LATER • PET FRIENDLY • POOL, SECURITY SYSTEM, WASHER & DRYER, LARGE GREENSPACE n 7 0 6 - 224-9 7 3 0 H Best Part Time Job Ever. Chemistry & Physics Experts Needed. Teach MCAT Courses in Atheas for $ 19/ hour. No grading required. Training starts soon. To apply visit: info.atlanta@review.com For more information: PrincetonReview.com/EmpIoyment K»nhowmlnwl«4ll /T\ (IL The Princeton Review 9 ~ J 9 •n-r.ssrr&M., sold back at either location 706-354-6900 SfeDSaB-CfiB — !?^eMM!>(33csMss£imx3s8 KM? M©0®©(!3I3G@I©G