(Photographed by Managing Editor and Media Production Manager Lilly Lafleur)

Editor-in-Chief: Samantha McCarthy 

Managing Editor and Media Production Manager: Lilly Lafleur 

Business Manager: Kiyan Weiss

Emails: smccarthy12@umassd.edu, llafleur@umassd.edu, kweiss1@umassd.edu

On Wednesday, September 23, family, friends, teammates, and the UMass Dartmouth community joined to grieve the loss of Marvins Antoine, 18, a first-year running back who had not yet declared a major. 

Despite the wind chilled air, those in attendance filled the quad in front of Claire T. Carney Library. As teammates and administration gathered the courage to speak, a rallying sense of community began to grow. Those who stood there on that day were there for something greater than themselves. Teammates, not just those on the football team, linked shoulder to shoulder, holding candles aloft, all supporting each other. 

Kevin Hamilton, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Belonging, described the importance of community in the face of loss. 

“Healing does not mean that our grief suddenly disappears, or that we have answers to what has happened. But we can choose not to carry that grief alone,” Hamilton said. “We can stand beside one another, make space for one another, and remind one another that community matters, especially in moments like this.”

Hamilton shared his respect for the UMass Dartmouth football team and Haitian-American students, saying, “He was a member of our Corsair football family, a part of our Haitian community here at UMass Dartmouth, and a friend and a classmate.”

UMass Dartmouth’s Haitian American Student Association sent a statement to The Torch: 

“Marvins was an aspiring young Black man and a valued friend and student of our Haitian community at UMass Dartmouth. Our people embody and stand for many things, but above all, we stand for unity — “L’Union Fait La Force.” In moments of grief like this, we are reminded of the strength we find in coming together, supporting one another, and carrying each other through.

We extend our deepest condolences, love, and prayers to Marvins’ family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. May his memory live on through the lives he touched, and may his loved ones find strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Marvins. You will be remembered.”

Antoine was the kind of person who encouraged all those around him to smile for better times to come, making them stand in his shoes so they would see the greatness in themselves. Seeing a friend in a sour mood was unacceptable to him. 

Conner Robidoux, UMass Dartmouth football captain, shared a story about another teammate who had known Antoine since he transferred to his high school. Though the two had just met, and they instantly became friends once they started playing football together. 

“Marvins lived on the other side of town, but that didn’t matter. Our teammate kept driving him home anyway. He wrote that something just told him to keep getting Marvins home every day,” Robidoux said. “Pretty soon, he was picking him up for no reason at all, every single day. There were days this teammate doubted himself. Marvins wouldn’t let him.”

His experience with the football team was one of laying the groundwork of success and camaraderie, and from the stories told by the team, the foundation has already been laid. Antoine was a true Corsair, someone who understood that a ship only sails when every hand pulls in unison. 

Robidoux shared a story about a time another defensive back was feeling down. Antoine had told him to keep his head up, and even pulled him aside during a game to give him some motivation. 

“He told him, ‘I need you to get an interception. When you do, I’ll be waiting.’ That night, he got that, and while doing it, he wore Marvins’ gloves,” Robidoux said. 

The smiles he once brought to so many faces returned in memoriam and in future appreciation, though they may have been lit with glistening silver tears. What held strong was the knowledge that we do not face grief alone. When all of our closest friends are a mere hallway, phone call, or walk away, we can rely on each other in times of loss. 

After sharing these memories, Robidoux and his teammates presented Antoine’s family with his jersey and a signed football. 

As the vigil concluded, Coordinator for the Center of Religious and Spiritual Life Matthew Litchfield led a prayer and helped direct students to the available resources on campus. 

The Center of Religious and Spiritual life is open for walk-ins Monday through Friday starting at 9 a.m. The center is located in Campus Center 205 and is able to take appointments. They can be reached at 508-999-8872.

Also, starting Friday, October 16, the Counseling Center will be hosting a student support circle. This space allows students who have been affected by loss to share their stories, seek support, or reflect, and will run every Friday at 3 p.m. through the rest of the semester. The Counseling Center is in the auditorium annex and can be reached at 508-999-8648.