There is an abundance of grief and shock in Errington, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and the surrounding area after the tragic accident August 9 that claimed 17-year-old Lukas Whibley.
An entire community is mourning and hearts are heavy for those who knew the popular teen, who graduated this year from Ballenas Senior Secondary School in Parksville. Whibley was not only a stellar athlete and student, he was also a great friend and teammate and his death has affected many in a tight-knit community.
Jeremy Conn, head coach of the Ballenas Whalers Football team says this is the hardest thing he has ever had to deal with in his 20 years of coaching.
Conn who also is a teacher in School District 69 was the one who recruited Whibley to the football team when he quickly realized what an excellent student and athlete he was.
“He was n my science class grade 9 at Ballenas. Not only was he was athletic and smart, but he was funny and got along with everybody,” Conn said.
Whibley who wore number 54 and number 66 during his time with the Whalers was the type of kid who could do a lot of things well according to Conn.
“Everybody liked and respected him. He was a good team player and he would lead by example and encourage others.”
Conn said Whibley was a major force on the gridiron playing on the offensive line and defensive line.
“He was one of the few two starters we had who played on both sides of the ball.”
Prior to opening training camp for the 2013 season on Monday Conn said he spent a lot of time thinking about what he was going to say to the players who have been struggling with such a difficult situation.
“I want to talk about his memory and how we can honour him and how this can inspire us to appreciate what we have and to do our best. That was the way Lukas was and the way he wanted it to be,” said Conn.
Many of this year’s football players have talked about dedicating this season to Whibley but Conn said it is too early to determine what the team will do to commemorate their fallen comrade.
A great athlete, a character kid, a super good team mate, and unbelievable friend … are just some of the adjectives being used by Whibley’s coaches to describe the 17 year old.
Former Ballenas Whalers head coach Sean Hines said Whibley was a fantastic human being and his loss is being felt by many.
“It touches a lot of people when something like this happens,” said Hines who explained that being part of the Whalers football family meant that Whibley was connected to a lot of people.
He pointed out that not only does Whibley’s loss touch kids who were his own age, but also kids three and four years older and younger who would have had a relationship with him at school and in sports.
“With the personality he had … he was such a well liked kid, there would have been a lot of friendships and relationships with this guy.”
Hines said he has been fielding a lot of calls from former Whaler football players who are struggling with what happened to their friend.
“A lot of kids have called me. I am doing my part and I am here for the kids. My role right now needs to be for his friends who need somebody to talk to and have some questions answered.”
Hines admitted that although he is super sad, he is trying to be strong for the youth in the community who are dealing with a wide range of emotions right now and trying to come to grips with what happened.
“This loss is being felt on a far bigger spectrum than a student athlete. Lukas was a son, a grandson, a best friend and the loss of a youth is never going to be good. When their lives are cut short, other kids deserve to have someone to talk to them,” said Hines.
Hines said it was only a few days ago when he talked to Whibley who was working at the time at Thrifty Foods in Parksville about his plans for the future.
“I talked to him in the grocery store about his plans down the road. He was real excited because he had an opportunity to try out for a junior A lacrosse team next year. His eyes were electric and full of hope for the future.”
