Our Fallen Eagles

I've struggled the last few days on what I can possibly type on this blog that would give comfort to all those who read it. I've tried time and time again to type, and end up just shutting off my computer. T and Ryne were outstanding young men. People often say that about people who pass from this life, but these two guys were the real deal. They really are the type of young men that this institution meant to have as a member of the Faulkner football team. Ryne and T were friends to everyone they came across. They exemplified this university and this program. We remembered these young men in a memorial service on campus Monday. I could not be more proud to be a part of this Faulkner football family. The families of both young men were in attendance along with the entire University. I believe the families now know just how much we loved T and Ryne.

The players sat with a smile on their faces as they watched a slide show of the lives of T and Ryne. In a way this picture encompasses how everyone felt about these young men. All we knew of Ryne and T was the smile they always had and the smiles they spread to everyone they knew. 20 years from now as memories of touchdowns and tackles fade from our thoughts, the love of brotherhood through teammates will always remain. It's a bond that only teammates will know. A tie that can never be broken no matter the score of a game or the outcome of a game. I think Coach Baker said it best in a poem that he wrote just for this occasion.

Remember Us
To the living, we are gone.
To the sorrowful, we will never return.
To the angry, we were cheated.
To the happy, we are at peace.
To the faithful, we never left.
We cannot be seen, but we can be heard.
So as you push through the tough times, remember us.
As you celebrate life's victories, remember us.
As you cheer our Eagles, remember us.
Remember us, in your heart, your thoughts, and your memories.
The times we've shared, the times we've cried, the times we've laughed.
For if you always think of us, we will have never gone.
Ryne and T, We will never forget you.
BY GREGG BAKER, FAULKNER HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Though we will take the field on August 29th for our next game, we will not be alone. As the whistle blows we will always have the comfort knowing that our brothers are there. In our locker room, on the sideline, in the huddle, on the field, and in our hearts. T and Ryne will ALWAYS be our SOARING EAGLES.

Cherish the time you have with your friends, families, and teammates. Take every moment to let someone know that you care. As T and Ryne did, live your life giving joy to others.

Faulkner football players killed in Chilton County wreck

Two Faulkner University football players were killed in a two-vehicle wreck in Chilton County on Monday morning.

Ryne K. Wilhite, 19, of New Albany, Miss.; and Teirson D. Holiis, 20, of Douglasville, Ga., both were fatally injured in the wreck, according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
Wilhite was driving a 1996 Ford Explorer on U.S. 82 about nine miles east of Maplesville at 5:10 a.m. when the wreck occurred. The men were returning from visiting a friend in Tuscaloosa, according to a news release from Faulkner.

“I’ve never been through anything like this – it hurts so much,’’ Faulkner head coach Gregg Baker said. “T and Ryne were both great kids, two wonderful Christian young men. The only thing that is helping us right now is the fact that we all know exactly where they are, and that’s with our God in Heaven.’’

Hollis and Wilhite were both offensive linemen, with Hollis having been with the program since its inaugural season in 2007. Wilhite had just transferred to Faulkner this semester and went through his first spring practice last month. Hollis, a native of Douglasville, Ga., played high school football at Robert S. Alexander High School. A native of New Albany, Miss., Wilhite played for Northeast Mississippi Community College last season.

“Both of them were always smiling and joking around,” Baker added. “They may no longer with us here, but T and Ryne will always be a part of this program. Always.’’

Flags on the Faulkner campus were flying at half-staff by mid-day Tuesday. The Faulkner football team was informed of the tragedy by Baker and his staff just after the school’s academic honors convocation Tuesday morning. Simultaneously, Faulkner president Dr. Billy D. Hilyer informed the rest of the student body, faculty and administration. Grief counselors have been made available to everyone on campus.“This is a very difficult day for our family,’’ said Hilyer, who also addressed the football team Tuesday. “My primary mission on this campus is to be there for our students and to help provide them what they need to earn a quality Christian education. In many ways, they are like my children. And this just breaks all of our hearts. The message that it should send to everyone is just how much we need God, who we know also lost a child. And it’s the blood of Jesus that we embrace today.’’Funeral service arrangements have yet to be determined.
Alabama State Troopers are investigating the accident.
-- Scott Johnson

2009 Recruiting Class

One of the questions I get the most is, how are recruiting class is going. Well, let me answer that for you. We are still hot and heavy into recruiting and will be up until August 1. So far, we are very excited about who we have signed at this point. Here are some of your new 2009 Faulkner Eagles.

Michael Uranga-OL/6'2/282/Prattville High School
Mitchell Thornton-OL/6'3/286/Prattville High School
Joe Scott-QB/6'0/180/Northside Warner Robbins, Ga.
Ryne Wilhite-OL/6'3/310/Northeast Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Brandon McKenzie-DB/S/6'2/215/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Tyler Renfroe-OL/DL/5'11/275/Stanhope Elmore
Zach Lee-OL/6'4/280/Stanhope Elmore
A.J. Wilson-RB/5'10/180/Stanhope Elmore
Corey Renella-OL/6'2/260/Mosley High School, FL.
Vince Nix-P/K? 5'8/165/Stanhope Elmore
Grant Kimbrough-OL/6'2/250/Stanhope Elmore
Lucas Craig-OL/6'1/230/Stanhope Elmore
T.J. Wells-FS/5'10/170/Stanhope Elmore
Ike Salter-DB/5'9/168/Stanhope Elmore
Isalia Collins-DL/5'11/250/Stanhope Elmore
Tyler Broom-LB/5'11/195/Stanhope Elmore
Harrison Gore-LB/5'11/210/Tattnall Square Academy, Ga.
Gary Wade Jr-LB/6'0/205/Alexander High School, Ga.
Leslie James-WR/6'5/200/Andalusia High School
Lance Kenny-WR/5'11/180/Derby, Kansas
Jeremy Cox-RB/5'11/195/Bessemer Academy
Chris Nelson-OL/6'5/240/Citronelle

Keep checking back for more updates to our list. I'm looking forward to these guys taking the field for the Eagles in 2009.

GO EAGLES!!!!