Under a cloud-swollen sky, family and friends of Kyle Trosky gathered Tuesday not to grieve his death but to celebrate his life.
"(Kyle Trosky) is in better hands than I could ever give him," Jim Trosky, Kyle Trosky's father, said. His wife, Jan, and son, Elliot, stood silently by his side.
Jim Trosky kept his emotion positive as he talked about how much his son loved his friends, Ball State and life.
"This is a celebration of his life," he said. "He wouldn't have wanted it any other way."
Senior business major Kyle Trosky was killed in an automobile accident in Florida during Spring Break.
Standing at University Green, students fought tears, shared nervous laughter and held long embraces while they shielded their candles from the cool March wind.
Although he did not know Kyle Trosky, Douglas McConkey, vice president for Student Affairs, offered comforting words to the circle of about 150 students.
"May Kyle's family find joy and encouragement from all of you that came here tonight," he said over the whisper of rustling leaves from nearby trees.
Wearing black jerseys with red numbers, Kyle Trosky's fellow Ball State Roller Hockey Team members stood in a tight huddle. Kyle Trosky played the goalie position for the team.
"Kyle is all kindness," sophomore team member Brad Simpson said. "He was like a brother to me."
Simpson said the two were planning on going on a fishing trip this summer.
"His goal 20 years from now was to have a big fishing boat we could all go on," he said.
Black ribbons were passed out by team members in memory of their 22-year-old teammate.
Team member sophomore Brian Baker said Kyle Trosky was the only person who was more competitive than him in both hockey and video games.
"I can honestly say I don't remember one bad time with this guy," Baker said. "Everything was so much fun with him."
Baker, who witnessed Kyle Trosky's accident, said his friend united the team as one, rather than just individuals playing the same sport.
"He was the guy who would bring everyone together and made everyone feel wanted," Baker said.
Becca Paris shared a story about how she and Kyle Trosky, her first love, lost their way through Indianapolis when he attended Carmel High School. She credited him with being the main contributor to who she is today.
"Keep Kyle alive and all the memories we share," she said in a choked voice.
Sophomore Molly Guise described Kyle Trosky as the life of the party.
"He was always doing something funny," she said. "He was always making sure everyone was having a good time."
Members of the Roller Hockey team are planning on attending the funeral as a group, junior Matt Heger said. The team is planning on writing Kyle Trosky's initials on the backs of their helmets and retiring his jersey number, 33.
Team members took turns signing a white Ball State cap they are planning on giving the family at the funeral on Friday.
"This shouldn't have happened to his family," Heger said. "Everyone keeps saying he was an amazing guy because he was."
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