Fishing derby honors fallen athlete

In 2004, Tim Roberts was the captain of the Scarlet Knights' track team. The 21 year-old high school senior spent his afternoons fishing or hanging out with his friends around town. Things changed for Roberts in the summer of 2004 when he was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer. Tim lost his battle with cancer a year later in August of 2005.

However, Roberts' legacy lives on.

The "Reeling in a Dream" fishing derby is one of several events held each year in Roberts' name. The money goes to the Dana Farber Cancer Center to aid young adults with cancer (aged 18-30) like Roberts recieve "wishes" since most charities only aid those under 18. The idea was dreamed up by Tim when he was sick, and he and his friends started the fund with a charity wiffleball tournament.

"The whole idea behind this fundraising effort was him," said Tim's former coach Steve Nugent, "It all started with Tim."

After Roberts passed in August, the effort was picked up by his family and friends. For the last six years, the Tim Roberts Fund has raised thousands to help grant wishes including trips, computers, and ipads.

"He saw other patients his age so this's what he wanted to do," said Roberts mother Pat, "and the community comes out each year to support us. It's great."

The next event for the Tim Roberts Fund will be the annual wiffleball "Tourney for Tim" on August 6, 2011.

Saturday ((SOT)): Man on Water

"Water flows humbly to the lowest level.
Nothing is weaker than water,
Yet for overcoming what is hard and strong,
Nothing surpasses it."
-Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher

A Buddhist man takes in the water at Ithaca Falls in Ithaca,NY.

I'll begin this post with four words: "Don't try this yourself."

But one man, Soutchay Insinxiengmay (in-sing-may), is brave (and maybe just crazy enough) to climb the face of a rushing waterfall.

"I just felt like I was apart of the waterfall, like, I wasn’t scared or tepid or anything," said Insinxiengmay, "You just go up there and feel it."

Thailand-born, Insinxiengmay came to New York to study at Binghamton University. He now lives in Binghamton working as a market researcher. But during the summer, he becomes a sort-of water monk, sitting amidst gallons of rushing water pounding him without flinching or even taking off his glasses.



"It was like a spiritual experience for me," he said still drenched in water, "I just wanted to let anything that was negative just flow, and take in all the good positive energy that the waterfull generated."

Insinxiengmay said he started climbing waterfalls this summer when he came to Ithaca and saw all of the falls it had to offer. He said he’s already lost count on how many falls he’s climbed. He plans to keep climbing as long as he lives in the area.

“I think God put it [the falls] here, and it’s amazing,” Insinxiengmay said.



Insinxiengmay identifies himself as a Buddhist. While he carefully traversed the side of the falls, he said he chanted prayers for family and friends. At times, he sat so still amidst the splashing water as if locked in a trance.

Insinxiengmay said the activity is not easy, and he is extremely careful.

Ithaca’s waterfalls and gorges are the site of numerous accidents each year. Climbing gorges and waterfalls when signs restrict it can carry heavy fines.

A sports debut

This week I had the chance to produce a complete sportscast for BUTV-10's Midday News. It was a great experience, although I think I should probably stick to the news.




Today's Sports:

The Boston Celtics pull out a 111-109 double overtime squeaker against the Charlotte Bobcats. Former Patriot Dante Stallworth turns himself in to Florida police on DUI manslaughter charges. The Red Sox prepare to leave Florida for Fenway, and say their pitching staff is armed and ready. 150 Boston College students prepare to run the Boston Marathon for a school dedicated to teaching students with multiple disabilities. And the Boston Bruins seek to extend their winning streak to 4 games tonight against the Ottawa Senators.