Titanxman04
01-22-2012, 11:46 PM
Please pardon my sentiments here.
A year ago, on January 22, 2011, the world, community, and a family lost Ken "Firehose" Akers. The memory of his laugh, presence, and overall caring nature still visit me frequently, and if you visit his Facebook page, you'll notice people still often have him on their mind.
The tragedy of losing such a caring and larger-than-life figure like Ken still hasn't settled. Several folks, some on this board, others not, met at Dana's this evening to celebrate and remember our friend. His fiance asked us to toast a shot to him (which we gladly obliged). We spoke about how Ken would feel about various aspects and how he'd act over various situations, but there was one remaining feeling that I cannot suppress. My roommate (the totally "straight" one) commented on it as we rode home together.
Ken Akers was just a better friend and person to us, than what we were to him. I'm sure to those who knew him, that we wouldn't feel alone. People talk about someone having a big heart, but Ken had the biggest of all. I didn't even like the guy at first, and yet, he still found a way to show his genuine nature of caring for everyone out there. It was no wonder it was standing room only at his wake.
I lay here tonight, my laptop beside me, contemplating everything one could do to keep such a tragedy from occurring, and from keeping everyone that loved him so much from such great pain of hearing the news he passed. About a month before he died, he invited myself and the future Mrs. Titan out to Louisville to visit him, see the city, and spend an evening drink and laughing together. We had to pass, since the future in-laws were in town. A month later, that decision kept me up for weeks on end.
Basically, my rather sudden conclusion is this:
Basketball is simply that...basketball. We certainly have hopes and desires to see our team, our players come out and do their damn best and live up to their billing, play to their potential, and take this program to places it's never been before. Hope is still there to see just that. However, it's all just a game. Loved ones, friends, neighbors, and even people you don't generally like that much matter much more than a basic game.
Of course, we can all spout off this logic, say we live by it, and secretly believe it's bullshit. Lord knows, it's easier to do that than actually live it. But Firehose seemed to embody this basic principle. He loved all. And I cannot think of the word "loyalty" without immediately thinking of Ken. Bashing someone because despite their efforts, they aren't coming through on a basketball court is folly. It's a game. Nothing more. It helps each and everyone of us escape the world in whatever state we see it in, and hope for good to triumph and evil to fall. However, when the game ends, the world continues to spin. Bashing these players and coaches personally is silly and trivial in the grand scheme of things.
Loving one another, even despite differing opinions. That's what these Jesuits call for. That's what Ken believed. It's what he lived.
I apologize for the rant, but sometimes when you've drunk a little, have an emotion you need to release, and a venue to do so, common sense and dignity can't stop you. Passion for a team isn't a bad thing, but it shouldn't be the only thing.
I love you guys, love this board, and love this team. God bless you all (yes, even sweet16). I look forward to sharing a pitcher of brew with each and every one of you at some point or another.
Cheers.
A year ago, on January 22, 2011, the world, community, and a family lost Ken "Firehose" Akers. The memory of his laugh, presence, and overall caring nature still visit me frequently, and if you visit his Facebook page, you'll notice people still often have him on their mind.
The tragedy of losing such a caring and larger-than-life figure like Ken still hasn't settled. Several folks, some on this board, others not, met at Dana's this evening to celebrate and remember our friend. His fiance asked us to toast a shot to him (which we gladly obliged). We spoke about how Ken would feel about various aspects and how he'd act over various situations, but there was one remaining feeling that I cannot suppress. My roommate (the totally "straight" one) commented on it as we rode home together.
Ken Akers was just a better friend and person to us, than what we were to him. I'm sure to those who knew him, that we wouldn't feel alone. People talk about someone having a big heart, but Ken had the biggest of all. I didn't even like the guy at first, and yet, he still found a way to show his genuine nature of caring for everyone out there. It was no wonder it was standing room only at his wake.
I lay here tonight, my laptop beside me, contemplating everything one could do to keep such a tragedy from occurring, and from keeping everyone that loved him so much from such great pain of hearing the news he passed. About a month before he died, he invited myself and the future Mrs. Titan out to Louisville to visit him, see the city, and spend an evening drink and laughing together. We had to pass, since the future in-laws were in town. A month later, that decision kept me up for weeks on end.
Basically, my rather sudden conclusion is this:
Basketball is simply that...basketball. We certainly have hopes and desires to see our team, our players come out and do their damn best and live up to their billing, play to their potential, and take this program to places it's never been before. Hope is still there to see just that. However, it's all just a game. Loved ones, friends, neighbors, and even people you don't generally like that much matter much more than a basic game.
Of course, we can all spout off this logic, say we live by it, and secretly believe it's bullshit. Lord knows, it's easier to do that than actually live it. But Firehose seemed to embody this basic principle. He loved all. And I cannot think of the word "loyalty" without immediately thinking of Ken. Bashing someone because despite their efforts, they aren't coming through on a basketball court is folly. It's a game. Nothing more. It helps each and everyone of us escape the world in whatever state we see it in, and hope for good to triumph and evil to fall. However, when the game ends, the world continues to spin. Bashing these players and coaches personally is silly and trivial in the grand scheme of things.
Loving one another, even despite differing opinions. That's what these Jesuits call for. That's what Ken believed. It's what he lived.
I apologize for the rant, but sometimes when you've drunk a little, have an emotion you need to release, and a venue to do so, common sense and dignity can't stop you. Passion for a team isn't a bad thing, but it shouldn't be the only thing.
I love you guys, love this board, and love this team. God bless you all (yes, even sweet16). I look forward to sharing a pitcher of brew with each and every one of you at some point or another.
Cheers.