While attending a recent Northeastern basketball game, my eyes were wandering during a timeout. That was when I noticed Reggie Lewis’ retired jersey.

I have followed the Celtics for a long time and remember Lewis dying, but that occurred when I was young. Therefore, I knew very little about him other than that he was a star on the Celtics at the time and that he was the best athlete ever at Northeastern.

After the game, I went on my computer and looked up articles about his death. That’s when I learned just how compassionate and what a caring an individual he was. In an era in which athletes have inflated egos and are corrupted by greed, Lewis stood out as a beacon of hope and a role model for the Boston community. From handing out turkeys at Thanksgiving to making appearances at local playgrounds, Reggie was a man who cared about others, not just himself. His humility was admirable.

The point I am trying to make is that I wish members of the current Northeastern community would enlighten itself to the life of one of its most distinguished alumni. Maybe the school could place a statue of Lewis outside of Matthews Arena, where it would get wide exposure, or include a piece on his life in the Northeastern News every year, sharing his story with new students. If more people were aware of just how compassionate and wonderful of a human being he was, maybe it would inspire them to make a difference in the world, and perhaps be more concerned about the lives of others. His legacy should be made as widely known as possible.

– Chris Anselmo is a sophomore marketing major.