Jan. 23, 2010

By Willie T. Smith III

Greenville, S.C. --  Less than 48 hours after sophomore soccer player Fabien Vorbe returned to Furman University from Port-au-Prince, Haiti his world was turned upside down.

A massive earthquake hit his country Jan. 12, killing hundreds of thousands of people and leaving even more homeless. For several days, Vorbe was unable to get in touch with his mother.

Although he finally learned everyone in his family survived without injury, their home was destroyed.

“Every port was struck by the earthquake,” Vorbe said. “But it was less of an impact where I am from. I guess that’s why my family was fortunate enough to not die.”

On behalf of Vorbe, the squad’s only Haitian native, the soccer team and virtually every part of the Furman community participated in a 12-hour soccer marathon Friday to raise funds to help provide relief for the devastated country.

“I remember talking to Fabien and, at that point, he hadn’t been in touch with his mom,” Furman men’s soccer coach Doug Allison said. “I put the TV on and saw the devastation in Haiti and I thought, `We’ve got to do something on behalf of Fabien.’ ”

Participants in the marathon included athletic department employees, professors and members of every Furman athletic team and of the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy. Participants raised money by obtaining pledges. They will continue to collect money until Friday, when the funds will be turned over to the Furman chaplain’s office. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Haitian Relief Fund.

T-shirts were sold throughout the day, and students dropped off T-shirts to be sent to help clothe Haitians.

Graham Marchman, a junior on the Furman women’s soccer team, said she wanted to participate in the fund-raiser because she has ties to Haiti. She is involved with a non-profit organization that has made several mission trips to the nation to help a school.

“This has been a big shock, a life-changing experience,” Marcham said. “When you think of what you have already experienced and to see pictures of what it is now is unbelievable. When Coach Allison came up with this idea, we all wanted to help.”

Allison said the event has brought both the school and its athletes closer together.

“Never has such bad soccer been played for such a good cause,” he joked.

Despite the lack of skills, the non-soccer playing athletes enjoyed their time on the field.

“When I heard they were doing this, I wanted to do whatever I could to help out,” said Furman junior women’s golfer Jackie Hilea. “It was a lot of fun out there.”

Vorbe said the effort touched him.

“I decided to come to Furman not only because the soccer team is good but also because it was a family environment throughout the school,” Vorbe said. “This shows my decision paid off when I see how everyone is supporting me.

“Even people I don’t know have been wishing me well, sending me e-mails saying they are praying for my family and praying for Haiti. It is a great feeling to know I have this kind of support.”