Tragedy Strikes Steers With Passing of Bailey
Harold Wilson
Talk about hitting home.
Just days after the National Football League mourned the loss of one of its brightest young stars, Texas College grieved Wednesday morning over the sudden death of junior two-way lineman Shane Bailey just hours earlier.
The Texas College community gathered at the school chapel following the untimely passing. Bailey's death delivered shockwaves around the institution of roughly 900 students, most of whom knew the New Orleans native.
"Everyone has their own way of dealing with emotion and tragedy. Some are feeling shock, some pain," said Texas College athletic director and head football coach Jay Brown. "We wanted to get it out publicly to the student body in one setting. We invited preachers over and members of the faculty and staff to provide counseling to allow them to vent. Sometimes in an education venue you forget about the students and their mental needs. We wanted to make sure we provided that. Our prayers go out to his family."
At 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, the popular Bailey brought a big-time presence to Texas College after transferring from Louisville. At Texas College, where he spent the last two seasons playing football and even basketball for one year, Bailey began trying to reach the potential that saw him start as a freshman at Louisville in 2004 after red-shirting the previous year. Bailey left Louisville following his freshman year and missed the 2005 season after returning home.
Back in New Orleans, Bailey braved Hurricane Katrina, enduring two days on top of a roof and nearly half a day in The Superdome. Bailey, whom Brown said "was a guy that overcame a lot of obstacles," returned to his home city two weeks after the storm to start working in construction.
Being away from the game he loved motivated Bailey to return, leading him to Tyler, where he majored in criminal justice.
"That's the main thing, even though I sat out those years ... being in that situation I knew I had to get back in school," Bailey said during an interview with the Tyler Morning Telegraph back in September.
Texas College created somewhat of a new start for Bailey, but unfortunately the end of the road for what seemed to be a promising future. Bailey flashed signs of greatness at Louisville, where he started in front of current Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil.
"As a player, he had untapped ability," Brown said of Bailey, who made seven tackles in six games on defense before switching to the other side of the ball to block. "He had the potential to be an impact player. He was coming around a little this year."
Based on his actions alone, Bailey proved ready to help when needed. He aided the basketball team last year after the Steers suffered the loss of its coach and nearly a handful of players at the midway point. During his final football season, Bailey volunteered to play on the offensive line after an injury created a void.
"Shane was really a pleasure to be around," said Texas College basketball coach Matt Cross of Bailey, who was the youngest child in what the late player called "a big family" earlier in the season. "He was so positive and encouraging, and helpful."
Hearing him tell stories of how he survived the hurricane, the loss of a parent and the more than 50 funerals he attended just in the last two years, Bailey appeared strong enough to survive almost anything.
His funeral service is set for Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Bailey's hometown of New Orleans at Saint Leo Catholic Church.
And while teammates and loved ones, including a wife he leaves behind, will no longer see him around, they can perhaps scan life the way he viewed it.
Near the end of our interview for a feature story early in the season, Bailey pointed toward his lower leg to show me how he made it through the tough times. He remarked, "I'll show you this tattoo right here, the three Ds: determination, dedication and discipline."
To those affected, hang in there. After all, Shane showed how while on top of the roof during the hurricane, which perhaps explained his favorite tattoo, the one that read "a brighter day is soon to come."
Just days after the National Football League mourned the loss of one of its brightest young stars, Texas College grieved Wednesday morning over the sudden death of junior two-way lineman Shane Bailey just hours earlier.
The Texas College community gathered at the school chapel following the untimely passing. Bailey's death delivered shockwaves around the institution of roughly 900 students, most of whom knew the New Orleans native.
"Everyone has their own way of dealing with emotion and tragedy. Some are feeling shock, some pain," said Texas College athletic director and head football coach Jay Brown. "We wanted to get it out publicly to the student body in one setting. We invited preachers over and members of the faculty and staff to provide counseling to allow them to vent. Sometimes in an education venue you forget about the students and their mental needs. We wanted to make sure we provided that. Our prayers go out to his family."
At 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, the popular Bailey brought a big-time presence to Texas College after transferring from Louisville. At Texas College, where he spent the last two seasons playing football and even basketball for one year, Bailey began trying to reach the potential that saw him start as a freshman at Louisville in 2004 after red-shirting the previous year. Bailey left Louisville following his freshman year and missed the 2005 season after returning home.
Back in New Orleans, Bailey braved Hurricane Katrina, enduring two days on top of a roof and nearly half a day in The Superdome. Bailey, whom Brown said "was a guy that overcame a lot of obstacles," returned to his home city two weeks after the storm to start working in construction.
Being away from the game he loved motivated Bailey to return, leading him to Tyler, where he majored in criminal justice.
"That's the main thing, even though I sat out those years ... being in that situation I knew I had to get back in school," Bailey said during an interview with the Tyler Morning Telegraph back in September.
Texas College created somewhat of a new start for Bailey, but unfortunately the end of the road for what seemed to be a promising future. Bailey flashed signs of greatness at Louisville, where he started in front of current Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil.
"As a player, he had untapped ability," Brown said of Bailey, who made seven tackles in six games on defense before switching to the other side of the ball to block. "He had the potential to be an impact player. He was coming around a little this year."
Based on his actions alone, Bailey proved ready to help when needed. He aided the basketball team last year after the Steers suffered the loss of its coach and nearly a handful of players at the midway point. During his final football season, Bailey volunteered to play on the offensive line after an injury created a void.
"Shane was really a pleasure to be around," said Texas College basketball coach Matt Cross of Bailey, who was the youngest child in what the late player called "a big family" earlier in the season. "He was so positive and encouraging, and helpful."
Hearing him tell stories of how he survived the hurricane, the loss of a parent and the more than 50 funerals he attended just in the last two years, Bailey appeared strong enough to survive almost anything.
His funeral service is set for Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Bailey's hometown of New Orleans at Saint Leo Catholic Church.
And while teammates and loved ones, including a wife he leaves behind, will no longer see him around, they can perhaps scan life the way he viewed it.
Near the end of our interview for a feature story early in the season, Bailey pointed toward his lower leg to show me how he made it through the tough times. He remarked, "I'll show you this tattoo right here, the three Ds: determination, dedication and discipline."
To those affected, hang in there. After all, Shane showed how while on top of the roof during the hurricane, which perhaps explained his favorite tattoo, the one that read "a brighter day is soon to come."
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