How did Patrick Anderson’s life unfold. What impact did concussions have on his health. How did his family cope with the tragic loss. What lessons can be learned from Patrick’s story.
The Early Years: A Glimpse into Patrick’s Vibrant Personality
Patrick Anderson was a spirited young man whose zest for life was evident from an early age. His mother, LeeAnn Anderson, recalls a particular incident that encapsulated his mischievous nature:
At just three years old, Patrick decided to pull a prank by urinating from the upper floor landing while his sister and mother stood below. The shock quickly turned to laughter, setting the tone for Patrick’s future as a jokester and lover of life.
This playful spirit continued into his high school years. In one memorable instance, Patrick spontaneously disrupted a giant Jenga game in a local park, much to the amusement of his friends. These anecdotes paint a picture of a young man who found joy in bringing laughter to others.
A Compassionate Soul: Patrick’s Approach to Friendship and Diversity
Beyond his playful exterior, Patrick possessed a deeply compassionate nature. He approached strangers with warmth and openness, regardless of their appearance or background. This inclusive attitude served him well throughout his life, allowing him to form meaningful connections with diverse groups of people.
One particularly formative experience occurred during Patrick’s time playing football in elementary school. As the only non-African American player on his team, he gained valuable insights into what it felt like to be different. Rather than letting this difference isolate him, Patrick embraced the opportunity to connect with his teammates, forming strong bonds that transcended racial boundaries.
The Impact of Inclusivity
- Developed empathy for those who feel different or isolated
- Formed lasting friendships across racial lines
- Learned to navigate diverse social situations
- Carried these lessons throughout his life
An Adventurous Spirit: Patrick’s Love for Extreme Sports
Patrick’s physical prowess and adventurous nature were apparent from a young age. Nicknamed “Monkeyboy” for his climbing abilities, he seemed to have an innate understanding of his physical boundaries. His mother, LeeAnn, encouraged this spirit of discovery, trusting in Patrick’s instincts and abilities.
As he grew older, Patrick’s passion for extreme sports blossomed. He excelled in various activities, including:
- Skimboarding: Mastering complex tricks like backflips off the board
- Skateboarding: His preferred mode of transportation in elementary school
- Kiteboarding and wakeboarding: Taking up these sports at age 13
- Snowboarding: Beginning at age 9 and quickly becoming his favorite winter activity
Patrick’s love for snowboarding exemplified his fearless approach to life. His mother recounts taking him to Peak 8 in Breckenridge for the first time, where he initially looked apprehensive at the steep drop. With her encouragement, Patrick not only conquered the run but also fell in love with the sport.
The Bonds of Friendship: Patrick’s Magnetic Personality
Patrick’s kind and non-judgmental nature drew people to him like moths to a flame. He didn’t just have friends; he had a tribe. His home became a hub of activity, constantly filled with the laughter and energy of his growing social circle.
What made Patrick such a magnetic force in his social groups?
- Non-judgmental attitude: Patrick accepted others as they were
- Sense of humor: His ability to find joy and laughter in everyday situations
- Thirst for possibility: Patrick approached life with an open mind and adventurous spirit
- Compassion: He genuinely cared for others and made them feel valued
The impact of Patrick’s presence was so profound that his absence left a palpable void in the family home. The once-bustling house fell into an eerie quietness during the months when Patrick would have typically been home, a stark reminder of the light that had been extinguished.
The Shadow of Concussions: A Turning Point in Patrick’s Life
Despite Patrick’s vibrant personality and zest for life, his story took a tragic turn due to a series of concussions. The first diagnosed concussion occurred during his sophomore year of high school when he accidentally hit his head on a concrete parking lot curb.
While proper concussion protocol was followed, including a two-week recovery period, this incident marked the beginning of a series of head injuries that would ultimately have devastating consequences.
The Progression of Concussions
- First diagnosed concussion: Sophomore year, followed by a two-week recovery
- Ongoing symptoms: Complaints of headaches, though medical check-ups appeared normal
- Subsequent incidents: Including a sucker punch during his senior year
In hindsight, LeeAnn Anderson reflects on the importance of specialized care for concussion injuries. She notes that if she had known then what she knows now, she would have sought out a doctor specializing in concussions rather than relying on general medical check-ups.
The Silent Struggle: Mental Health Challenges and Substance Abuse
As Patrick’s concussion history grew, so did the invisible toll on his mental health. The full extent of these struggles often went unnoticed or misunderstood by those around him. Like many individuals dealing with the aftermath of brain injuries, Patrick faced a complex web of challenges that extended far beyond the physical symptoms.
Signs of Trouble
- Mood swings: Sudden changes in temperament or emotional state
- Difficulty concentrating: Problems focusing on tasks or studies
- Sleep disturbances: Changes in sleep patterns or insomnia
- Anxiety and depression: Increased feelings of worry or sadness
- Substance abuse: Turning to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism
The intersection of brain trauma and mental health issues created a perfect storm in Patrick’s life. As he struggled to cope with the lingering effects of his concussions, he may have turned to substances as a form of self-medication, further exacerbating his problems.
A Life Cut Short: The Tragic Loss of Patrick Anderson
The culmination of Patrick’s struggles came to a heartbreaking conclusion with his untimely death. While the exact circumstances of his passing are not detailed in the provided information, it’s clear that the loss of this vibrant young man left an indelible mark on his family and community.
Patrick’s story serves as a stark reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of repeated brain trauma, especially when combined with mental health challenges and substance abuse. His passing highlights the need for greater awareness, education, and support systems for individuals dealing with the long-term effects of concussions.
The Ripple Effect of Loss
- Family grief: The profound impact on Patrick’s parents and sister
- Community mourning: The loss felt by Patrick’s wide circle of friends and acquaintances
- Awareness raised: Increased attention to the serious nature of concussions and brain health
- Call to action: Inspiring others to seek proper care and support for brain injuries
Lessons Learned: The Importance of Concussion Awareness and Proper Care
Patrick Anderson’s story serves as a powerful catalyst for change in how we approach concussions and brain health. His experiences highlight several crucial lessons that can help prevent similar tragedies in the future:
Key Takeaways
- Specialized care is crucial: Seek out doctors who specialize in concussions for proper diagnosis and treatment
- Long-term monitoring is essential: The effects of concussions can persist long after initial symptoms subside
- Mental health is intertwined with brain health: Address psychological symptoms alongside physical ones
- Education is key: Raise awareness about the serious nature of concussions in sports and daily life
- Support systems matter: Provide ongoing support for individuals dealing with the aftermath of brain injuries
How can we apply these lessons to create a safer environment for young athletes and individuals at risk of concussions? By implementing comprehensive concussion protocols in schools and sports programs, providing ongoing education for coaches, parents, and athletes, and ensuring access to specialized medical care, we can work towards preventing stories like Patrick’s from repeating.
The Legacy of Patrick Anderson: Inspiring Change and Awareness
While Patrick’s life was tragically cut short, his story continues to have a profound impact. Through the efforts of his family and organizations like the Concussion Legacy Foundation, Patrick’s experience is helping to shape a better future for others at risk of brain injuries.
Ongoing Initiatives
- Advocacy for improved concussion protocols in sports
- Support for research into the long-term effects of brain trauma
- Education programs for schools, sports teams, and communities
- Raising awareness about the link between brain health and mental health
By sharing Patrick’s story, his family hopes to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak. They aim to transform their personal tragedy into a force for positive change, ensuring that Patrick’s vibrant spirit and compassionate nature continue to make a difference in the world.
Moving Forward: Creating a Safer Future for Young Athletes
The story of Patrick Anderson serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action. As we reflect on his life and the circumstances that led to his untimely passing, it becomes clear that there is much work to be done in the realm of concussion prevention and care.
Steps Towards a Safer Future
- Implementing stricter safety protocols in sports at all levels
- Improving equipment and technology to reduce the risk of head injuries
- Enhancing education programs for athletes, coaches, and parents
- Increasing funding for research into concussion prevention and treatment
- Developing better diagnostic tools for assessing brain injuries
- Creating support networks for individuals recovering from concussions
How can we ensure that the lessons learned from Patrick’s story lead to meaningful change? By working together across various sectors – from sports organizations and schools to healthcare providers and policymakers – we can create a comprehensive approach to concussion prevention and care.
The Importance of Open Dialogue: Breaking the Stigma Around Brain Injuries
One of the most critical aspects of preventing tragedies like Patrick’s is fostering an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their symptoms and seeking help. Too often, the culture surrounding sports and masculinity can lead to a reluctance to report injuries or admit to ongoing struggles.
Strategies for Encouraging Open Dialogue
- Promoting a culture that values brain health over toughness
- Educating athletes about the serious long-term consequences of ignoring symptoms
- Providing confidential resources for reporting and discussing concerns
- Celebrating athletes who prioritize their health and safety
- Engaging parents and coaches in ongoing conversations about brain health
By normalizing discussions about concussions and mental health, we can create an atmosphere where individuals like Patrick feel empowered to speak up and seek the help they need before it’s too late.
The Role of Technology in Concussion Prevention and Care
As we look to the future, advancements in technology offer promising avenues for improving concussion prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. From sophisticated helmet designs to cutting-edge imaging techniques, these innovations have the potential to significantly reduce the risk and impact of brain injuries.
Emerging Technologies in Concussion Care
- Impact-sensing mouthguards and helmets to detect potential concussions in real-time
- Virtual reality systems for assessing balance and cognitive function
- Advanced neuroimaging techniques for more accurate diagnosis
- Mobile apps for tracking symptoms and recovery progress
- Telemedicine platforms for remote consultations with concussion specialists
How can we ensure that these technological advancements are accessible to all athletes, not just those at the professional level? By advocating for funding and implementation of these technologies across various levels of sport, we can work towards a future where stories like Patrick’s become increasingly rare.
The Ripple Effect: How One Story Can Inspire a Movement
While the loss of Patrick Anderson is undoubtedly tragic, his story has the power to create lasting change. By sharing his experiences and the lessons learned, his family and advocates are helping to spark a broader movement towards better brain health awareness and care.
The Potential for Positive Change
- Inspiring other families to share their stories and experiences
- Motivating researchers to delve deeper into concussion prevention and treatment
- Encouraging policymakers to enact stronger protections for athletes
- Empowering individuals to prioritize their brain health and seek help when needed
- Fostering a culture of compassion and understanding for those dealing with invisible injuries
Through continued advocacy, education, and action, the legacy of Patrick Anderson can serve as a catalyst for a safer, more informed future for athletes and individuals at risk of brain injuries.
Patrick Anderson | Concussion Legacy Foundation
A HISTORY OF BRAIN TRAUMA, AND THE DEATH OF OUR JOYFUL BOY
By LeeAnn Anderson
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My earliest recollection of glimpsing Patrick’s true nature; mischievous jokester, lover of life, occurred at age three. Patrick decided it would be funny if he peed off the upper floor landing while his sister and I were standing in the hall on the first floor. He was giggling and grinning from ear to ear. Seconds after the shockwave came and went, the three of us were crying with laughter. Patrick could be so random! Like the time in high school he asked his friend to pull over while driving through a local park. Patrick jumped out of the car and ran over to a group of folks playing a giant game of Jenga. Without stopping or saying a word he tackled the game pieces rolled across the grass and trotted back to his friends! The video is hilarious. The shockwave for those folks lasted a little longer than a few seconds, his friends are in the car busting a gut! Making people laugh was Patrick’s passion.
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Patrick was beautiful. Kind and compassionate, he made friends easily. Patrick approached strangers like he wanted to be treated; with a smile, eye contact and a warm handshake. He didn’t see the color of their skin, or the clothes they were wearing, he saw the individual. Patrick was also blessed with natural physical abilities, instinctively aware of his physical boundaries from a very early age. “Monkeyboy” was his acquired nickname as he would literally climb anything deemed manageable by his young persona, which was most things. We were a good match, my parenting style encouraged discovery. If he felt physically capable of a feat, I rarely ever told him no. Believing in the “Art of Possibility” to build confidence in my children, I trusted their internal instincts.
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As Patrick grew older, he ventured into team sports but also had a passion for solo sports. Skimboarding was a favorite from an early age, he eventually acquired the skill to backflip off his skimboard while taking a wave.
For obvious reasons this practice was not my favorite. In elementary school a skateboard was his favorite mode of transportation. Confidence, independence, and comfort in his own skin were all traits Patrick displayed from an early age. Patrick played football in the fourth and fifth grade. Being on a team with all African American boys, Patrick learned how it felt to be isolated, how it felt to be the kid that looked different. Navigating “how do I fit in” was an incredible lesson that Patrick never forgot. Patrick was loved by his teammates and he loved them back; he became their friend, their brother. The Tigers won the city championship two years in a row! When my sister asked him in middle school why he didn’t play football anymore he said, “it made my head hurt.”
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Patrick started kiteboarding and wakeboarding when he was 13, but his favorite was snowboarding which he started when he was nine. I’ll never forget the look on his face the first time I took him up to Peak 8 in Breckenridge.
When he saw the drop into the bowl for the first time, he looked at me like I was the crazy one. I looked him in the eye and told him, “you have this, just follow me and you’ll do great.” Not only did he do great, he was hooked.
Patrick was my adventure buddy. We were adrenaline junkies. From the time he was little, it was always the two of us on family vacations jumping off cliffs/waterfalls and my husband and daughter watching and taking pictures.
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Patrick didn’t just have friends; he had a tribe. Kids naturally gravitated towards his non-judgmental attitude. His kind, compassionate nature along with his sense of humor and thirst to find the possibilities in every day was like a light to a moth. Kids were always at our house. The older he got the bigger the group became. I loved having them. Now that Patrick is gone, there is a quietness about the house during the months that he would naturally be home. It’s weird and it takes some getting used to. I play music to keep it from being so noticeable.
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A HISTORY OF CONCUSSIONS
When Patrick was a sophomore in high school, he received his first diagnosed concussion. He was running and somehow tripped and hit his head on a concrete parking lot curb. Banged up pretty badly, we took him to urgent care, then to a private doctor the next day. His lacrosse coach was notified and concussion protocol was followed. Two weeks later he was cleared to practice and play with the team. He complained of headaches from time to time but when I took him to the doctor everything checked out OK. If I knew then what I know now, I would have taken him to a doctor who specializes in concussions.
Patrick’s senior year, he was sucker punched while trying to pull a boy off one of his best friends during an attack. It was dark and Patrick didn’t see the other kid coming. At 6’ 1”, Patrick fell backwards hard and was knocked out cold. Another boy who was there said Patrick was unconscious for about a minute.
A third concussion occurred the summer before he started his freshman year at Appalachian State University.
Patrick and friends were wakeboarding on a trip to the beach, he wiped out, and the board hit him in the head. He was unconscious in the water for a few seconds. He didn’t go see a doctor after this incident and didn’t make us aware that it even happened until much later in the summer. We found a prescription for Ibuprofen amongst his things, he apparently was still having headaches from time to time.
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The last day Patrick was alive was Valentine’s Day 2019. This seems appropriate to me given his ability to love deeply. Other than being Valentine’s Day, it seemed to be a normal day for him at school. We texted back and forth, I sent him $50 and a funny pair of socks for the holiday. My husband talked to him several times that afternoon. He sent a funny picture of himself wearing protective goggles during a routine medical exam with a goofy smile on his face like he was in mid laughter! He put his deposit down on his apartment for the following year and he paid for his spring break trip.
Later that evening Patrick met up with his friends at the “cabin,” a regular hang out spot in Boone, NC. On his way out of the dorm, he ran into his good friend Hannah. She said they chatted for several minutes, caught up, and exchanged hugs before Patrick began his walk.
That night, the boys without girlfriends hung out, drank a few beers, started goofing around and being silly. At some point they started to joke-wrestle with each other. Patrick and another boy ended up falling over the porch railing and down a slight hill. They both said they were OK and the fun resumed. At 10:30 p.m. Patrick asked a girl to an upcoming formal, she said yes. Being a school night, the boys disbanded around 11:30 p.m. Patrick was there with his very best friend Palmer, who he said goodnight to and then walked back to his dorm alone.
There is video footage of Patrick walking into the dorm at 12:10 a.m. His roommate JT wasn’t yet home, he had fallen asleep in another friend’s dorm room.
Video footage shows JT entering the dorm at approximately 3:00 a.m. Two minutes later 911 was called. JT tried to revive Patrick but he was gone.
No note, nothing in a text message, or email. Nothing in his sketchbook, no dark poetry. The police interviewed over 20 kids, not one said they noticed that Patrick was different, withdrawn, not himself. We, his family, had just spent 10 days in Belize over Christmas break. My husband bought us all tickets to go see Justin Timberlake in concert. We went to see the latest Marvel movie, Patrick’s favorite. Spent time just hanging around the house together. Everything seemed normal.
So, what happened? Why did this carefree kid, who loved his family, had multiple tribes, and felt blessed to be a part of this college experience at App State suddenly end his life?
This doesn’t make any sense. I realize that suicide survivors often say the same thing about their loved one that has passed. I strongly feel something is out of place. Intuitively, I would have known something was going on with Patrick.
We were too close, there is no way I wouldn’t have felt an underlying pain if Patrick was hiding something.
BRAIN TRAUMA AND PATRICK: WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED.
Concussions, brain trauma and CTE had recently come into focus as more and more research, documentaries, and athletes stepped forward. With that in mind, my focus started to shift to Patrick’s past concussions and the fall he took the night he died. I remember thinking, the fall must have been significant because several of the boys mentioned it to me the day of his service. Was it possible that he hit his head that night during the fall and reinjured a part of his brain that had been previously damaged? While he was alone in his dorm room in the middle of the night did his brain experience an aneurism, did it short circuit somehow?
I connected with several psychic mediums to try and find answers. Through that process, I was able to communicate with Patrick and learn he felt very intense pressure deep in his head that night.
He couldn’t process how dangerous his actions were and thought an escape from the pain would mean sleep, not death. This revelation was incredibly significant.
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My goal in sharing my journey in connecting with my son after his death is to highlight the connection between brain trauma and suicide. Studies show suffering just one concussion doubles your risk of suicide. Even without any history of depression or observable changes in mood, it’s important for everyone to understand the potential link. Patrick wasn’t depressed, he was hopeful and full of life. Something happened in his brain that night that can’t fully be explained, not yet. My hope is there will be more research and more questions will be asked like, did the deceased recently experience a fall that could have damaged their brain? Was the deceased healing from a recent concussion? Unless this knowledge is documented, how can it be researched? How will we as a society be aware of the danger without awareness and education?
Click here to donate to the Anderson family fundraiser in memory of Patrick Anderson.
Suicide is preventable and help is available. If you are concerned that someone in your life may be suicidal, the five #BeThe1To steps are simple actions anyone can take to help someone in crisis. If you are struggling to cope and would like some emotional support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to connect with a trained counselor. It’s free, confidential, and available to everyone in the United States. You do not have to be suicidal to call.
Are you or someone you know struggling with lingering concussion symptoms? We support patients and families through the CLF HelpLine, providing personalized help to those struggling with the outcomes of brain injury. Submit your request today and a dedicated member of the Concussion Legacy Foundation team will be happy to assist you.
This story adheres to the Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide from reportingonsuicide.org
Patrick Anderson – Cross Country
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Majoring in environmental studies .
.. Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll for 2020-21 and 2021-22 … Recipient of the men’s cross country 2020-21 Strength & Conditioning Newcomer Award
2023 T&F: Competed in the mile, 3K and 5K during indoor season … Top 3,000-meter time was 8:09.50 to finish eighth at the Penn State National Invitational … Finished 23rd at the ACC Indoor Championship in the 5,000 meters (in 14:17.21) and 29th in the 3,000 meters (8:13.44).
2022 XC: Earned All-ACC and All-NCAA Southeast Regional honors … Finished 15th at the ACC Championships, finishing the 8K race in 23:20.8 … Crossed the tape in sixth place at the NCAA Southeast Regional, finishing the 10K race in 29:59.1 … Was 113th at the NCAA Championships, finishing the 10K in 30:21.0 … His best 8K finish of the year was 23:04.4, a second-place finish in the Paul Short Run on Sept. 30.
2022 T&F: During the indoor season, won the 5000m at the Indiana Relays in 14:00.
87, the second-fastest time in school history … Also won the 3000m at the Darius Dixon Invitational (7:54.64) … During the outdoor season, competed in the 5000m and 10,000m at NCAA Preliminaries … Second-team All-ACC in the 10,000 meters … Named to the All-ACC Academic Team for outdoors
2021 XC: Placed second at the season-opening Charlotte Opener (14:50.1) … Placed 26th at ACC Championships, 21st at NCAA Regionals and 108th at NCAA Championships … Earned All-Southeast Region honors … Named to the All-ACC Academic Team
2021 TF: Placed third in men’s 10,000 meters at ACC Outdoor Championships to earn first team All-ACC honors … NCAA First Round qualifier in the men’s 5,000 meters … Named to the All-ACC Academic Team for men’s outdoor track & field … Earned USTFCCCA All-Academic for the 2021 track season
2020 XC: Fourth among Tar Heels and 42nd overall at ACC Championships (24:12.1) .
.. Led the Tar Heels and placed third overall vs. Wake Forest and NC State on Oct. 16, covering the 8K course in 24:49.71
Before UNC: Graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School … Two-time state champion in cross country (2018, 2019) … 2019 Foot Locker Northeast Champion … 2019 Foot Locker Finals bronze medalist … 2018 Foot Locker finalist (29th place) … 2019 New Balance Nationals All-American in the outdoor mile (sixth place)
More on Anderson: Son of Meghan and Todd Anderson
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Jeff Skinner getting ready for a tough game
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Heather Angel
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/ NHL.
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BUFFALO – Jeff Skinner doesn’t know what’s in store for him.
The Buffalo Sabers forward will play against the Carolina Hurricanes, his former team, for the first time. The game will take place at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina on Friday (Saturday, 03:30 GMT).
Skinner spent his first eight NHL seasons with the Hurricanes. On August 2, 2018, he was traded to the Buffalo Buffalo for forward Cliff Poo and three draft picks. The hockey player hopes that the game will be interesting, but it will not be easy.
“Of course I will. It’s part of the game, of life,” Skinner said.
Video: BAF-ANA: Skinner dealt with the goaltender spectacularly
Sabers coach Phil Housley understands Skinner well because he’s been in that situation himself.
Houseley played the first nine seasons for Buffalo, and then there was an exchange, and on January 4, 19At 91, he played for the first time against the Sabres with the Winnipeg Jets.
“You can prepare for this match as much as you like, but until you get on the ice, you start playing against former teammates, you will worry,” Houseley said. “He needs to go through this. We understand that this match is very is important to him. So we are doing everything to help him cope with emotions. On the other hand, this is an interesting moment for him. So far, he is doing great work, he has become a good partner, plays efficiently, does everything that is asked of him. We need to support him in Carolina.”
Skinner was selected by the Carolinas with the seventh overall pick in the 2010 draft. He didn’t know what was in store for him at Buffalo when the trade took place. But he was received very warmly. “Since then, everything has been great,” he says.
Skinner easily fit into the new team.
He spent most of the season on the left side of the top three with center Jack Eichel. Skinner currently ranks first with the Sabres in goals scored (29) and second in the NHL behind Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. In scoring (42) Skinner is second in Buffalo (Ikel – 49).
With that performance, Skinner can score 55 goals and 80 points, breaking two personal bests of 37 goals in 2016-17 and 63 points in 2010-11 and 2016-17.
“When you start playing with such a talented and technical partner, everything becomes easier,” Skinner said of Eichel. adapt. It’s very interesting to watch him every day in training or games. I see what he does and how he does it.”
[See also: Eichel could play against Carolina]
Understands Skinner and Jason Pominville. After playing 578 games for the Sabers, he scored a goal against a former team on October 14, 2013, already a player for the Minnesota Wild. In the summer of 2017, a reverse exchange took place, and on November 22, 2017, Pominville scored the puck against the Minnesota.
“Take this moment for granted, enjoy it,” says Pominville. “You have to prepare for this game like any other. He will be teased, he will meet many acquaintances. In fact, it all started already on Thursday. It’s interesting. The guys like that kind of thing. You have to get through it, then it gets easier and you can move on. But the first game will always be special.”
Extend
THEY STILL DID IT! KEN ANDERSON AND PETER WINDSOR “BORN” A TEAM!
So, miracles still happen in this life! On Tuesday, February 24, the official presentation of the USF1 project, an American team that is going to compete in Formula 1 since 2010, took place live on SpeedTV. The ideological inspirers of the project are the famous American design engineer Ken Anderson and the British sports journalist Peter Windsor. They are the founders of the team, its main shareholders and leaders: Anderson is declared the head of USF1, Windsor is the sports director.
A bit of pathos
The global financial crisis and problems in the economy do not seem to have changed the Americans at all: they are still bursting with pride in their superpower and with a sense of their own chosenness. Otherwise, where does this confidence that everything American is the best come from when the national auto industry is on the verge of collapse?
“We follow our hearts and our passion – we want to prove that American technology, American drivers and the American spirit can be competitive in Formula 1 and meet the highest level” – this is how Peter Windsor sees the essence of the USF1 project. At the same time, the team aims not just to represent the United States of America in Formula 1, but to WIN!
How? How are they going to achieve this?
Philosophy of minimalism
Ken and Peter claim they will be building the team using a BRAND NEW APPROACH. First of all, it concerns the organization of work and financing.
Firstly, USF1 will be created from scratch, which means it will not copy existing Formula 1 teams with all their shortcomings.
Secondly, USF1 was originally conceived with the expectation of efficient use of a small budget – it will be a compact team with a minimum of staff (no more than 100 people), but all employees are exclusively professionals in their field. (During a press conference, Ken Anderson said: “Highly paid professionals.” Peter Windsor immediately corrected a colleague: “Not very well paid.” Well, otherwise, how to keep within a “small budget”!)
Thirdly, USF1 will be based in the US and not in Europe like all other Formula 1 teams. Here the argument is: “Doing business in the States is much cheaper than in Europe”, in addition, “there is a lot of American technology in Formula 1”, and also “a lot of excellent specialists work in America.” In addition, less than half of the championship races will take place in Europe in the 2010 season, so the USF1 team, from the point of view of logistics science, does not have to locate its headquarters in the Old World at all, Ken and Peter are sure.
Fourthly, USF1 aims to minimize the distance between itself and the fans, for which it is going to open the gates of its base for the fans: everyone will be able to get acquainted with the real life of the team, visit the workshops and laboratories, and even … observe the development and construction of the car ! Moreover, Anderson and Windsor plan to create their own television studio in order to “become a team that is really close to the fans in the States and around the world” – the programs are planned to be shown on the Internet.
This is exactly what the founding fathers of USF1 call “an entirely new approach.” However, both admit that even a couple of years ago, many would have considered the proposed methods of creating a “formula” team simply ridiculous, and that only thanks to the measures taken by the FIA to reduce costs, such a thing became possible. In addition, today there is no need to make a deposit of 48 million dollars to the FIA account – this alone has allowed to radically reduce the cost of the project!
Thank you.
..crisis!
Isn’t it a utopia – to take on the creation of a racing “stable” when the global economy is bursting at the seams? You will receive a completely unexpected answer to your question. Anderson and Windsor vied with each other to convince the television audience of SpeedTV that the crisis actually played a positive role for the project! According to Ken and Peter, the current situation has forced many companies to “tighten their belts” and think about savings – as a result, building a team today turned out to be an order of magnitude cheaper than, say, a year ago!
“If there was an economic boom right now and money was still just falling out of the sky, there would be a line of teams and billionaires in Formula 1,” adds Peter Windsor. “In this situation, guys like us would have nothing to do here.”
Ken Anderson believes that the current economic downturn will allow the team to even save a little on the construction of the car: “Here’s just one example: a year ago there was a shortage of carbon fiber in the world – it was required in large quantities for the production of aircraft.
However, due to the crisis, many orders were cancelled, the market became oversaturated. As a result, carbon fiber is now cheaper than ever!..”
Plans
If we talk about tactics, then the plan is as follows. By autumn (September-October), build the first sample of a racing car and start its dynamometric tests on the stands. There will be no road tests this year, but by early January 2010 the USF1 should be on the track and ready for its debut season. At the disposal of the team will be almost three months – this time is enough, I’m sure Ken Anderson, who at one time worked as a technical director in several teams of Formula 1.
If we talk about strategy, Peter Windsor notes, then for the first season the American “stable” sets itself a rather modest task – to finish in most races. In the second season, USF1 expects to begin the fight for points. Well, then … And then the team does not look yet, but you are already familiar with the ultimate goal – WIN!
The plans of the American team also include the creation of a second base, a European one, but it will become “just a logistics center”: everything that is needed for tests and races will be located here – from this point of view, a place will be selected for it.
“Our European base could be anywhere in Spain, southern France or northern Italy – perhaps anywhere our sponsors’ wives want to travel,” shows Peter Windsor’s sense of humor.
Who will build the car
The main base of USF1 will be located in the city of Charlotte (North Carolina). Where exactly is not yet known exactly: Ken and Peter looked at several suitable places, but have not yet decided on the final one.
The choice of Charlotte (emphasis on the first syllable) was not at all accidental. North Carolina has a $6 billion racing industry! Charlotte is the largest city in the state.
“Here, for 50 miles around, everything is about racing and racing cars,” explains the head of USF1. “It has all the necessary equipment, a lot of talented people, there is Windshear – the best wind tunnel in the world!”
As a matter of fact, not just a pipe, but a real aerodynamic complex that allows you to test full-size (!) Machines. And what is interesting – it was developed .
.. by Ken Anderson himself! Agree, this says a lot.
By the way, Anderson should also head the technical department of USF1. But the designer of the first car, most likely, will be “an outsider” – for example, Mike Gascoigne, who was fired at the end of last year from Force India. However, the latter is still only an assumption of the British press…
Where can I get the motor?
Nowadays, the engine is not a problem. For only 10 million dollars a year, the engine, together with the gearbox, is ready to be delivered to anyone, for example, by Ferrari and Mercedes. The team has not negotiated with anyone yet, but is going to contact all manufacturers involved in Formula 1 with a proposal for cooperation in the near future. All automakers are interested in the huge American market. The exception is Renault, but the French are working in alliance with Nissan, so the deal makes commercial sense for them too. In any case, USF1 will certainly be able to negotiate acceptable terms for itself .
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Financing
According to Peter Windsor, USF1 will collect information and assess the situation until about March-April, after which it will search for specific sponsors. Here, too, the Americans are going to take their own approach, and they seem to have a bargaining chip.
“In our view, even in times of crisis, spectacular events like Formula 1 will not only survive, but thrive,” says USF1’s sports director. in sports advertising. I’m sure Formula 1 will only get stronger…”
Support
What USF1 definitely has by now is support. The plans of Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor received full approval from the FIA and FOM, the team’s application for participation in the 2010 championship was accepted. The project was also favorably received in the New World: during a press conference on SpeedTV, the legendary American racers Dan Gurney and Mario Andretti called the studio – they warmly supported the undertaking.
However, the USF1 project also has plenty of critics.
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USF1 pilots: two dozen applicants
USF1 riders must be 100% American by definition. However, one US passport is not enough, and Peter Windsor understands this: “We want to prove that American riders are able to fight at the highest level. We already have several pilots whose potential is comparable to Sebastien Buemi or Adrian Zutil. The problem is that before there was no training program, no obvious path for Americans in Formula 1. We want to help the careers of American drivers. If you look back at history, Americans either broke stereotypes when they succeeded or suffered because of insufficient support. We want to overcome this barrier – we are going to bring a new Lewis Hamilton into F1, but he will be an American!”
As for specific names, here USF1 is only at the beginning of the journey – negotiations with the pilots are still ahead. “We are evaluating all the candidates, but the decision has not yet been made. It is too early to talk about personalities,” explains the sports director of the team.
Which of the current American pilots could qualify for a place in the team? More often than others they name Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick, AJ Ellmendinger – riders with experience in “American formulas”. On hearing and the name of Kyle Bush, the pilot of the Spint Cup, the top series in NASCAR. They are all within USF1’s field of vision, confirms Peter Windsor. However, there are only two dozen riders in the team’s shortlist. For example, there is Graham Rahole, the son of a three-time CART champion, and the little-known Jonathan Summerton from the American A1 series team, and he is very good, the USF1 sports director is convinced: “Jonathan won a convincing victory in Shanghai. Jonathan raced with Buemi in German F3 – its potential is very great…”
Nevertheless, for the debut in Formula 1, USF1 will probably be forced to invite a “legionnaire” – an experienced pilot who does not have US citizenship.
“This option is quite possible – admits Peter Windsor. – This will help save time and lay the foundation for further growth.
