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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 23, 1996)
Goodland Funeral Remembering A Hero A ribbon tied to a car outside the funeral bears the names of Berringer and Tobey Lake. More than 1,900 people fill the Max L. Jones Fieldhouse at Goodland High School for the joint funeral service. Funeral Continued from Page 1 self a deeply religious person — praised Berringer’s strong Christian faith. “It was very rewarding to me personally to watch Brook’s spiritual turns,” Osborne said. “He came full circle, and he is at a very good place.” “There was nobody that I coached that had better character than Brook Berringer.” Osborne told the audience he believed ad versity brought out character. After watching Berringer start at quarterback for the Huskers for the first time, the coach said, he felt more at ease with Berringer leading the team. Osborne said Jesus came so all might have life more abundantly. “That’s what Brook was all about,” Osborne said. “He knew how to live each day the way it should be. “I am certainly a better person for knowing him.” Others also spoke of Berringer’s strong faith. Art Lindsay, a friend of Berringer’s, said he and Berringer had shared Bible lessons regu larly for several months. . *■* y Lindsay also shared in Berringer s growing faith in Christ. He told stories of Bible studies with Berringer. Reading from a book he was writing, Lind say said man does not know the why’s of life. Those who are saved know the who of life. “Brook Berringer knew the who, and I re joice in that,” Lindsay said. He also remembered watching Berringer work out recently for pro football scouts in Lin coln. After the workouts, Lindsay said, he told Berringer he knew what team would choose him. “My favorite team,” Lindsay said. When Berringer asked which team that was, his friend replied: “Whatever team drafts you.” Lindsay’s joking prophecy came true. “He is the No. 1 draft pick of 1996,” Lind say said. “Up-drafted by my favorite team.” He began to cry, and read from the Bible, Phillipians 3:14. “I press on toward the goal, to gain the prize that God has called me heavenward,” Lindsay read. “He beat us all home,” he continued. “Way to go Brook. I am so proud of you.” “That plane crash didn’t destroy Brook Berringer,” he said. “It was just a touch and go. “Praise God, praise God, praise God. Well done dear friend. Welcome home.” .i - 1 • • Players and staff from the Nebraska football team pay final respects to teammate Brook Berringer. Communities reel loss, hope for good to follow tragedy By Doug Peters Senior Editor GOODLAND, Kan. — This small, high plains farming town has been shaken and sad dened by the deaths of two local sports heroes, Brook Berringer and Tobey Lake. But Goodland is not alone in feeling loss. Berringer’s death also hit hard at the Uni versity of Nebraska-Lincoln. Although Berringer’s former teammates and coaches who attended the double funeral here Monday were not available for comment, UNL Police Chief Ken Cauble, who escorted the team bus, tried to express the impact of Berringer’s death. “I think the death of any student affects the campus,” Cauble said. “But I think one thing that draws this a little closer was who he was and the way he treated everybody.” Cauble told of a time Berringer walked a fe male parking cadet across campus to ensure she made it safely to her car. Goodland Continued from Page 1 But when tragedy struck, he said, teachers had to tell their students. A third-grade teacher friend told Quilling the hardest job he had ever had in education was telling his students that Berringer was gone. But schoolchildren weren’t the only ones touched by Berringer. Damon Finley, a senior at Goodland High, said going to classes Friday was difficult. Many people just left after lunch. “She didn’t have to ask,” he said. “He just did it ” “He treated everybody that way.” Despite feeling a loss, the 14-year UNL Po lice veteran said he saw the potential for good things to come of the tragedy. “It’s changed some attitudes already,” he said, “I’ve seen it among members of my staff.” By living each day to its fullest and by ap proaching challenges with a positive attitude, Cauble said, Berringer set an example for all who knew him. Earlier in the day at the funeral service, Berringer’s former coaches had voiced similar sentiments. “If we could have the same zest as you had, the world would be a great place,” quarterbacks coach Turner Gill said. Cauble said he regretted that he had not had time to get to know Berringer better. Even so, he echoed a statement made by coaches, friends and relatives throughout the day. “I consider myself a better person because I knew him.” Later that day, Goodland High students gath ered on the football field and laid 14 dozen roses on the 50-yard line. Both Lake and Berringer were football standouts at Goodland High, having played only feet from the fieldhouse where the two were eulogized. But through it all, despite the shock and grief, the community is dealing well with the trag edy, Goodland Police Capt. Karlyla Campbell said. “People here in Goodland still believe in people,” she said. “It’s a loyal and close-knit community.” * Photos by Matt Miller
