SSZ’s Rich Chrampanis wants to make sure Jersey Shore athletes see the inspiring words of Chris Singleton, a college baseball player who’s mother was killed in the Charleston church tragedy
One of my good friends from the world of broadcasting is Scott Eisberg, the sports director at WCIV-TV in Charleston. When the news broke of the 9 people killed in a church in South Carolina, I went to the live stream of his station and saw him in the middle of downtown reporting on what was happening. Any time a sportscaster is on the news beat, you know that the story is a major story (I had to do it a few times when Tropical Storms and Hurricanes threatened Myrtle Beach).
When you see the images of the killer and the story of how this despicable act went down, it is so easy to spiral into despair. In the darkness, a beam of light shined when I saw my friend Scott’s Twitter feed.
Chris Singleton is a baseball player at Charleston Southern, a Division I school in the north part of town. He played his high school baseball at nearby Goose Creek High, where his Mom, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton was a track coach. Sharonda was one of the nine victims who was murdered during a Wednesday night Bible Study at the Emmanuel AME Church.
This tragedy has brought about so much anger and rightfully so. If anyone has a right to be mad at the world and mad at society, Chris Singleton would be at the very top of the list. Yet when he faced a press conference just 24 hours after his Mom’s death, he delivered profound words during a tragedy where many are struggling to find the words.
“Love is stronger than hate. So if we just love the way my mom would, then the hate won’t be anywhere close to where the love is.” – Chris Singleton
Click here to watch video of Chris Singleton talking 24 hours after his mother’s murder
Will this powerful and inspirational message be on a constant loop on the 24 hour news channels and lead the network news? Sadly, I think we all know the answer. But thanks to the power of the internet and social media, the word is spreading about this story and I hope it is heard by as many people as possible.
Chris Singleton’s biggest claim to fame was delivering the game winning hit at Doug Kingsmore Stadium to give Charleston Southern an upset win over ACC power Clemson. Now, his words, strength and courage should be played for generations to come.
I was in South Carolina when Hurricane Sandy devastated the Shore, but I have no doubt that the high school athletes in this area stepped up to the plate and showed their leadership and courage during a time of tragedy. It is my hope that I will never have to see that side of character and that Shore Sports Zone can be all about highlights and great student sections and fun features.
I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know the top athletes in this area in the past year. I moved back to New Jersey to shine a positive light on what athletes are doing in the area that I grew up. I hope those athletes click on the link above and see how Chris Singleton is surrounded by teammates and how he can use sports to help heal not only himself, but an entire community.
Rich Chrampanis is SSZ”s Owner and Managing Editor. He spent 14 years as the sports director at WPDE-TV in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and made many trips to the Charleston area including the 2012 PGA Championship and games involving Charleston Southern, The Citadel and College of Charleston