RIP Tom Emma

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Apparently former Duke basketball player Tom Emma jumped to his death in NYC today.

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/06/ex ... n_jum.html

[CameronBornAndBred]

Wow..how very sad. Thoughts to his friends and family.

[Lavabe]

OMG!! He was my year! This one really hurts. From the article, it sounds like no one saw this coming.

Thoughts and prayers to his family.

[CathyCA]

Oh god, oh god, oh god. This hurts so badly.

As you may know, I was Coach K's office assistant during his first four years at Duke. Tommy was one of "my" players. He and I met the afternoon I arrived on campus at a keg party hosted by Mike Gminski, so our friendship predates my working in the basketball office. So many memories are swirling through my head now--riding around in our friend Nick's big Cadillac, eating salami sandwiches in his kitchen, listening to our friend Dan's stereo, just hanging out with Tommy and Chip on Central Campus, his shy greetings in the basketball office when he came to check his mail, seeing him at parties at the SAE section, and of course, his quick moves on the basketball court.

When I returned from Israel in the summer of 1983, the first person I saw after clearing customs in Kennedy airport was Tommy Emma. "What are you doing here?" he asked. I told him that I had just flown in from Tel Aviv. "Welcome home," he smiled. He was headed down to Texas that day to visit his girlfriend Casey, who was quite possibly the most beautiful girl on campus.

It's hard for me to think about Tommy's death. He will always be strong and vibrant in my memories. I have a hard time comprehending how depression could overtake him. I stayed at the Jumeirah Essex House next door to the New York Athletic Club in August. That was such a happy place for me, and now it's a place of tragedy.

I've been on the phone tonight with some of Tommy's teammates and friends. It's been very sad.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Tommy and his family. May he rest in God's arms, finally at peace.

[Very Duke Blue]

This is so sad. Thanks Cathy for sharing your memories of Tommy. He and his family will be in my prayers tonight.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Oh no. This just can't be. I can't really absorb it.
Love, Ima

[DukieInKansas]

Cathy,

I'm so sorry for your loss. You, his family, and all his friends are in my prayers.

Barbara

[lawgrad91]

This is terrible.

Cathy, prayers for you, as one who we all know and love.

Prayers also for Tom's family and other friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.

Tom, rest in peace.

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

Cathy,

Thank you for sharing your story and memories with us. So So sorry for the loss of a dear friend and classmate. Very tragic how depression consumes one's life.

And to the Family, Friends, Teammates and Classmates and Duke community for the loss of one of their own. May all find peace in this sad time of loss.

DWP

[robertduke32]

Cathy, I'm so sorry. Thank you for the wonderful insight to a guy I looked up to as a teenager. Prayers to you, his friends and family in this difficult time.

Robert