Posted
August 19, 2002
Remembering
Shane Roush
Central
Ohio Loses A Good Friend
By
Alan Kinnard
I
didn't know Shane Roush very well. We were just acquainted
by seeing each other at tennis tournaments over the years.
We each had mutual friends. But after his tragic death earlier
this week, I found myself feeling as if I lost a close friend.
I think it's because not even my best friends treated me any
better than Shane did. Always friendly, he was quick to share
a smile. He was one of those people you were always glad to
see. I regret not knowing him better.
On
Sunday, August 11, Shane and younger brother, Jason won their
sixth straight Fairfield County men's doubles championship
beating Jim D'Innocenzo and Mark Mathias, 6-7 6-3 6-2 in the
final. Then Shane teamed with Ginny White to win their third
straight mixed doubles title over Mike and Hannah Belek, 4-6
6-4 6-2. Shane went home to shower and pack for a trip to
visit a friend in Hilton Head, S.C. He stopped back at the
tournament to say goodbye to his parents and some friends
who were still watching the matches. Then he was on his way,
promising to call to report on his progress.
After
midnight, Shane pulled into a Citgo service station off 1-77
near Dobson, N.C. As he walked in to pay for his gas, he was
shot and killed by a man named Qunicy Allen, who had also
killed the store clerk during a robbery. Allen fled in Shane's
SUV with his credit cards and cellphone. Police were able
to track him through Atlanta and on to Texas where he was
caught near Colorado City early Wednesday, August 14.
On
Monday the 12th in the afternoon, I received an e-mail with
the news of Shane's death. I had to read it 3 or 4 times before
really understanding what it said. I hoped it was one of those
internet hoaxes, but it wasn't. As the news spread, one word
was repeated over and over by everyone I talked to . . . "unbelievable."
In
the next few days, I learned what a remarkable young man Shane
Roush was. Newspaper articles and TV news reports showed us
all what a positive life he had. He was a basketball and tennis
star in high school and played varsity tennis at Ohio Northern
University. He was an accomplished musician, playing the piano
and singing with the Lancaster Men's Chorus and the St. Mary's
Choir. He was a teacher, athletic director and coach at St.
Mary's school in Lancaster. With the support of a close and
loving family, he was able to give back so much to his community.
People came for over 11 hours to his public visitation on
Thursday, August 15.
Last
week, I
felt the profound loss of the whole tennis community here
in Central
Ohio. When something like this happens, the way we look at
our lives comes into a sharp focus. We all suddenly see what
is really important.
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