When freshman standout Travis Smith died in a traffic accident Jan. 27, the Ball State men's golf coach was in the process of determining the spring season captain. To remember Smith from a team and spiritual standpoint, coach Mike Fleck and his players easily decided Smith should be the honorary captain for the 2007 season.
"We have five seniors on this team and we have the leadership, but having Travis as the honorary captain is only fitting," senior C.D. Hockersmith said.
Fleck said he is hesitant to say how Smith's death will affect the team's play this season, since they have played in just one tournament. However, there still isn't a day that goes by when Fleck does not think about Smith and the tragic events that surrounded his death.
"Travis isn't going to be around like he was in the fall, but he was one of our better players, one of our top players actually," Fleck said. "Not only did we lose a great friend, but a great athlete."
During the fall season, Smith and senior Wayne Denger were the only two players guaranteed a spot to compete in the Spring season. Fleck believes it is difficult to measure the significance Smith's death will have, because the season just started last weekend.
"With the exception of Travis and Wayne, we were faced with a lot of inconsistencies and questions in the fall," Fleck said. "It has been hard determining the lineup, but our efforts have been pretty good and only time will tell. Golf is so mental anyway. It's 95 percent above the head and 5 percent below. If your mind is right, you can do anything you want to."
Although Smith's death was emotional, Fleck and his players are looking forward and trying to stay positive.
"It's obvious, from a golf standpoint, we are hurting," Hockersmith said. "We are trying to find five solid golf scores, but it will be a lot tougher without Travis."
Smith's death was the second death the men's golf team suffered in three years. In 2005, the Cardinals lost Justin Cross to leukemia and wore bracelets in honor of his life. Similarly, this year's players are displaying black ribbons on their hats and golf bags. Although Cross' and Smith's deaths have been difficult situations to handle, Fleck is determined to keep a positive outlook on life.
"Travis was a golfer. That is what he wanted to do, and that is what he was passionate about," Fleck said. "His goal was to try to make this program as successful as it could be. If he were here, even as crappy as it is outside, he would be working on his game and getting ready for the next tournament."
During Smith's services almost two months ago, Fleck handed Smith's family a Ball State letter jacket. Although it was a tough thing to do, Fleck said Smith met all the requirements in the fall to earn the jacket. The moment gave his family a sense of what Smith meant to the Cardinals. "We appreciate the opportunity and the time we were able to spend with Travis," Fleck said. "To be able to present the jacket at the services gave a sense to what he meant to our program."
A big believer in taking the positive approach to anything, Fleck said he has supported his team since the night of Smith's death. Denger said Fleck is there when his team needs him the most.
"We have all gotten closer as a team," Denger said. "Our communication has gotten a lot better, and as much as Coach helped us, I think we have helped him get through the situation as well."
Fleck elaborated on the things he tries to do as a coach.
"From my perspective, I just want to know I am doing the right thing for my guys and that I am there for them on and off the golf course," Fleck said. "I want my relationship with my players to last a lot longer than the four or five years they will be here playing Division I golf."
Since the day Fleck recruited Smith, he said they connected instantly. Realizing this does not happen often with freshmen, Fleck misses seeing Smith every day.
"Some days I think he is going to walk through my office door, and that is hard to deal with," Fleck said. "I knew how hard he wanted to win a [Mid-American Conference] Championship, and sometimes I think he is going to come in my door and say, 'Let's go win this thing.'"
As the golf team prepares for the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Collegiate Invitational this weekend, Smith will certainly be in the back of the team's mind.
"Our challenge is to figure out how to pick up the pieces and move on in a positive direction," Fleck said. "Before each and every round, we get together and have a brief moment of silence for Travis. It's just something for the team to honor his passing and what he meant to us."
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