The motto of South Carolina Dum Spiro Spero is translated to mean “While I breathe I hope.”
It’s no secret to anyone who has known me for any longer than a millisecond that I am an intensely loyal South Carolina Gamecock fan. Always have been. Always will be. If you know anything about Gamecock sports through the years (especially Football) you know that’s not always the easiest team to remain hopeful for. Yet I do. And I’m not the only one.
This season for South Carolina fans thoughts of hope means something more than looking for a good outcome at a sporting event. This year, “hope” is an encouragement embodied by the organization known as Hilinski’s Hope which provides support and resources aimed at destigmatizing mental illness. Funding and practical tools are made available by Hilinski’s Hope to schools with student athletes to implement change necessary to bring parity to mental health treatment so it is in line with treatment for all other illnesses and injuries student athletes face.
You see, our new quarterback Ryan Hilinski lost his brother Tyler Hilinski to suicide while Tyler was the quarterback at Washington State University. You may remember hearing about it in the news. You can read more about the Hilinski family’s story here. Ryan’s family founded “Hilinski’s Hope” in Tyler’s honor; a way to keep his memory alive.
So why write about this in my blog today?
Well, the Gamecocks had a tough game on Saturday in Missouri- one of those games where nothing (and I do mean NOTHING) went our way. Our Freshman quarterback in his first road start struggled to put it mildly. After showing so much poise and promise the previous two weeks, Ryan’s performance Saturday reminded us he is actually human. So are his teammates. And so are his coaches.
Social Media erupted. Some lamented a supposed curse on Gamecock sports. Some called for the coaching staff’s seat to begin heating; or rather burning. Some gave up hope of ever winning again. And then a headline Sunday morning in Columbia’s newspaper ‘The State’ shook us all. It read, “Hilinski Hope Sinks.”
Was it a hard game to watch? Yes. But it’s a GAME. Hilinski’s Hope and the student athletes it aims to help are real people, and their hope didn’t sink; regardless of what may or may not happen on a football field, basketball court, baseball diamond, volleyball court, soccer field, track, pool…you get my point. The importance of their physical and mental health are more important than ever when all the chips are down at times like these. ‘Hope” is more important than ever.
In this day and age I don’t know how a headline so tone deaf makes it onto the front page of a newspaper. The State Newspaper quickly issued an apology, and I hope in addition to the apology the staff internally will work to be sure checks and balances exist to keep something like this from ever happening again.
Dum Spiro Spero. While I breathe I hope.
So let’s take this awful circumstance and show even in a small way hope IS still alive. Maybe the public will take greater notice of what Hilinski’s Hope is trying to do in response to Sunday’s unnecessary headline. We all have a part to play- and again I remind you: This is bigger than any sport. It’s literally life or death for some folks.
My challenge to you? Gamecock fan, fan of another team, or even hater in general of sports: Let’s turn this negative into a positive.
I will personally match your donation to Hilinski’s Hope up to $250. The day will come when LetterJess will have more resources to donate more. But together, WE can do more. If you read this and want to be part of building hope, use the link to donate. All you have to do is send me an email (hello@LetterJess.com) with proof of your donation, and I’ll make a matching donation. There’s no amount too small to participate. Tyler Hilinski wore #3 and Ryan wears #3 in his brother’s memory. Even a $3 donation will help.
The link to donate to Hilinski’s Hope is here. I can’t wait to see what we can do together!
