Courtesy of Fontbonne University
ST. LOUIS -- The Fontbonne University family lost one of its own over the weekend. Men's Lacrosse player Berlin Cole (19), was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
"Please keep Berlin's family, team members, coaches, and friends in your prayers," said Director of Athletics Maria Buckel. "Berlin was a wonderful young man with a smile that could light up a room. Though he is no longer with us his spirit will carry forward with all the wonderful memories."
The Griffins men's lacrosse team also released a statement honoring the life of Berlin Cole:
Berlin was the epitome of what a friend and teammate should be. He exemplified what it means to support the ones you love and encourage them to do better because he believed in you. If you were having a bad day you could always count on Berlin to be there for you to make you smile.
Berlin had a way of making strangers feel like friends, friends feel like family, and teammates feel like brothers. There wasn't a moment that we knew him that he wasn't smiling or looking at the positives in even the worst situations. This is how we want to remember Berlin, and try to live out his legacy.
Being positive even through a dark time, putting a smile on someone's face that needs to be cheered up, and treating everyone that we meet with the same love that Berlin showed to all of us. He will be missed by everyone but we will take comfort in the fact that he will live on in our hearts forever.
Cole, a sophomore, entered Fontbonne last year with a degree focus in Engineering. On the field, Cole was a standout player for the Griffins, scoring eight goals in 11 games which was second-best on the squad.
"Berlin Cole IV means a loving, thoughtful, kindheartedness found in people that only his name can invoke to me," said head coach Mark Prey. "I love him dearly and there are simply no words on the sadness I feel for his loving family, and for all those who loved him as he loved you. I feel graced, and have faith I share this with many of you, in knowing simply due to his being and nature I was able to feel these things, not only in reflection, but in the actual moments we were together. I will be alongside everyone in our grief of a terrible loss and to celebrate an incredibly meaningful person, life, and purpose, Berlin Cole IV."
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be holding a candle-light vigil tonight at 8 p.m. in the Golden Meadow in memory of Berlin Cole.
The funeral arrangements for FBU Men's Lacrosse Player, Berlin Cole, have been announced.
The Visitation will be this Thursday from 1:00-8:00 p.m. at the Fern Creek Funeral Home:
5406 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky, 40291
The Funeral Service will be on Friday at 9:30 a.m., at the Highview Baptist Church:
7711 Fegenbush Ln, Louisville, Kentucky 40228
The Burial Service will immediately follow at the CrossWaters Garden Cemetery:
7110 Billtown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40299
We have also booked a limited number of hotel rooms at the Drury Inn and Suites Louisville East. A limited amount of 4 person rooms will also be complimentary for Fontbonne students. Additional rooms may be booked, based on demand and occupancy at the hotel, but these may require an additional, minimal charge for participants. Our goal is to allow anyone to go for free regardless of financial ability so please RSVP as soon as possible. There may also be some minimal meal costs for participants. If any financial charges would be an obstacle in your attending, please indicate that as you RSVP and we will do what we can to accommodate everyone if at all possible.