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Retired jersey honors student who died from cancer
(by Sue Hoffman - October 09, 2008)
Retired jersey honors student who died from cancer
By SUE HOFFMAN
It takes "a unique set of circumstances" to retire a football jersey at Hawken School in Chester, according to head football coach and physical education department chairman Clifford Walton.
The first time it was the No. 32 jersey worn by 1987 Hawken graduate Otis James "O.J." McDuffey, who played for the Miami Dolphins from 1993 to 2000 and became known as the favorite receiver of Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.
At last week's home game, staff and students showed their love and admiration for another graduate when they retired the jersey of Jeffrey Alexander Dobay.
Alex, of Burton, made headlines last June after being whisked by limousine from his hospital room at the Cleveland Clinic to his graduation at Hawken and back, with the help of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He received his diploma and the Bolton Award, Hawken's top accolade for a well-rounded senior who has followed the school motto: "That each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life."
Alex died Aug. 13 at age 19 after a four-year battle with cancer, but his legacy lives on.
"Tonight, we commemorate Alex's special relationship with Hawken by retiring his No. 55 football jersey, game announcer and teacher Alan MacCracken, of the lower school class of 1954, said during a special halftime ceremony. The framed jersey will be displayed in the Gries Family Sports Gallery, he said.
"We realize that, while his jersey is retired, the impact and inspiration that Alex gave to us will never be retired but will continue to inspire us daily," he said.
His comments reflected the sentiments of Mr. Walton and three other teachers who were close to Alex, Carrie Barnabei, Jack Breisch and Heather Nelson, in addition to countless others whose lives he touched.
"Alex Dobay loved Hawken," Mr. MacCracken said. "From football to community service to admissions work, Alex was truly one of the most enthusiastic members of the Hawken community. Alex, a student leader by nature, was, without a doubt, also a role model to teammates, classmates, students and adults alike. Alex's positive outlook always gave you the heart and strength to 'step it up and get it done.'"
Alex was first diagnosed with cancer as a junior in 2005. He had beaten two bouts of non-Hodgkin's lymphoblastic lymphoma and had undergone a bone-marrow transplant before being diagnosed last May with leukemia. With the lost time in school from the disease, he repeated his junior year. Hawken sought and received permission from the Ohio High School Athletic Association for Alex to play a fifth year in 2007, although it turned out that he was not able to.
Mr. Walton said that, while many students attend Hawken from pre-kindergarten on, Alex first arrived at the school in 2003 as a ninth-grader. He quickly became involved at the school and joined the junior varsity football team. Encouraged by his older brother, Justin, "Alex developed a love for the sport," Mr. Walton said.
However, his enthusiasm for school went beyond football to academics and other activities. He was a member of the Red Key group of students who gave tours of the campus to prospective students and their families.
"He was amazing as a member of that group," Mr. Walton said. "He had an effect not only on the football team but the entire school."
That's why the school also planted a weeping cherry tree -- one of Alex's favorite trees -- near the school's White House, which houses the cafeteria and admissions office, he said. The location was chosen to demonstrate Alex's love of Hawken off of the football field as well.
Mrs. Dobay said Monday that she wanted to express "how much I appreciate all the things Hawken has done."
She said, "They provided Alex with an atmosphere that allowed him to grow, and they gave him constant support. It was a blessing for him to be able to attend there."
Mr. Walton said team members have been wearing "A.D." stickers on their helmets as a tribute to Alex. "We all loved him very much. That's the kind of young man Alex was. He inspired all he came to know." He said Alex not only motivated people to "feel good, but made us want to live better."
Others felt the same way.
"No student should ever have to grow up as fast as Alex did," said Ms. Nelson, modern and classical languages chairwoman. "He came to relish each day he was able to be at Hawken and having an assignment due was about preparing for the future."
"Alex was a gift," said Ms. Barnabei, math department chairwoman. "He touched so many lives in so many ways. His legacy will live on, because he taught all of us so much."
When a day isn't going that well, she said, "I think of Alex walking across the stage. It was one of the most wonderful things to be part of."
"Alex's dream was to come back to Hawken and teach biology," she said. "Unknown to him was that he was already a teacher to us. He taught us how to live and put life in perspective."
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