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Bleakley Was 'Filled With Courage'

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By NATALIE SHEPHERD

nshepherd@wfla.com

Published: March 8, 2009

CRYSTAL RIVER - Hundreds of people gathered Saturday to remember and honor Will Bleakley, a former University of South Florida football player lost during a boating accident last weekend.

"He was a young man filled with courage," said the Rev. Alan Jefferson, who spoke of Bleakley's character and leadership.

"He always had composure and a dignity about him," Jefferson said.

He said Bleakley's family spent Friday night remembering good times and funny stories.

"This is not the end," Jefferson said. "Beyond this life there is a place where we can find our friends that have gone before us.

"That gives me hope."

Among those attending the memorial service was Nick Schuyler, the only one of four men found after the Feb. 28 fishing trip. Schuyler, also a former USF football player, was accompanied by his father, Stuart.

Schuyler, who didn't speak to reporters, walked from the service to a reception with a limp. He paused to watch Bleakley's family release doves to end the ceremony at Crystal River United Methodist Church.

The Coast Guard rescued Schuyler, a personal trainer at L.A. Fitness in Tampa, from the capsized boat Monday about 40 miles southwest of Clearwater. He has been receiving treatment at Tampa General Hospital.

Also still missing were Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, who played for the Detroit Lions last season. Cooper and Smith were former Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday night, although boaters and pilots continued searching for several days at the request of friends and family of the missing men.

Bleakley's football jersey hung at the front of the church, surrounded by flowers. His cousin Diane Hubbard sang two songs, including "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan, and his family put together a slide- show of photos detailing his childhood and sports career.

Bleakley went to USF from Crystal River High in 2002 and was the Bulls' starting tight end as a senior in 2006.

Andy Carlton said his friend turned down a scholarship to the Coast Guard Academy, choosing instead to join USF as a walk-on player. Eventually, he was able to earn a football scholarship.

"I'm sure there are times Will wanted to come home, but he stuck it out, he committed and he earned playing time," Carlton said. "He became a star."

The Rev. David Lane, the USF team chaplain, said he is "lucky to have counted Bleakley as a friend."

"Some of the young men who played with Will said, 'When I think of Will, I think of commitment, hard work, diligence,'" Lane said. "And here's something that meant a lot to me, 'kind.'"

A memorial fund has been established in Bleakley's honor. Contributions can be made to the Will Bleakley Memorial Fund, c/o Mercantile Bank, 1000 U.S. 19 SE, Crystal River FL 34429.

Tribune reporter Valerie Kalfrin contributed to this report. News Channel 8 reporter Natalie Shepherd can be reached at (813) 225-2703.

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