April 25, 2008

Montgomery, Ala. - From the window in his office, Alabama State University President Dr. Joe A. Lee could see a crowd starting to gather on the lawn of the University's Academic Mall.

And as he made the short walk to a memorial service for ASU student-athlete Deshean Porchea, Dr. Lee grappled with what to say to a campus community struck by tragedy.

"I struggled all day as I thought about tonight," Dr. Lee said, visibly touched by the emotions of students. "Sometimes things happen that none of us understand. I do know that it is important that we, as the ASU family, be here together."

Hundreds of people gathered Thursday night to remember Porchea, who died suddenly after playing a pickup basketball game with friends just one day earlier.

As dusk fell, mourners began to light candles that would shine throughout the 45-minute memorial service.

Students, faculty, staff and friends cried, laughed and hugged while several speakers remembered Porchea for his intensity on the court and the big smile he wore off of it.

"Deshean was a happy kid," said the Rev. Kyle Searcy, pastor of Fresh Annointing International Church in Montgomery. "He played every day like it was his last. That's a lesson we should all learn on how we should live our lives."

Donshe' Usher, Porchea's mother, was comforted by the large turnout.

"I wasn't sure what to expect," Usher said. "But when I turned the corner and saw all of these people, my heart just lifted. It means so much to me to know Deshean touched so many people."

Porchea's outgoing personality was a central theme for most of the speakers, and for many in the crowd.

"Deshean was always fun," said Brandon Jones, his teammate on the ASU basketball team. "He'd make you laugh all of the time. I loved him, and all of us will miss him."

ASU head basketball coach Lewis Jackson recounted his relationship with Porchea, including stories that left the crowd laughing and his mother nodding in agreement.

"Deshean loved the game of basketball," Jackson said. "I would tell him where he should throw a pass, and he'd tell me why he should throw it somewhere else."

"Right now, he's up in heaven doing the same thing he did here," Jackson said. "He's playing point guard for the Jesus Christ All-Stars, and he is telling the angels what to do and where to be on the court."

NOTES: Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced. Grief counseling is available 24 hours a day by calling the ASU Crisis Hotline at (334) 224-6592.