<p>Four years ago, my large group of friends embarked on a joyous journey at various colleges. For my dearest friend Gordie, the adventure lasted just a few weeks. Gordie and I had hoped to attend the same college, but in the end he decided to follow his passion for Lacrosse at CU Boulder. This turned out to be a tragic decision. </p>
<p>However, Gordie's death could have happened almost anywhere in the United States where many 18 years old are left to make their own decisions and are often "led" by others who are only a few months older. </p>
<p>The Gordie Foundation has just released a documentary concerning the death of Chi Psi pledge Lynn Gordon Bailey, Jr. (Gordie) due to a hazing incident held near CU Boulder. A documentary about the crisis facing America: young people are dying in increasing numbers due to alcohol abuse. A documentary that takes a hard look at lifestyles of young people within America's Universities, Sororities and Fraternities.</p>
<p>While the full movie is meant to be shown in specific settings, I hope that many at CC will take the time to watch the powerful trailer, and especially invite your college bound children to do the same. </p>
<p>xiggi, I just watched the trailer. I recall from posts you've made in past years that you knew Gordie, but never connected the dots that he was such a close friend. My condolences on your loss. The trailer is very powerful and I hope the movie is shown on many college campuses this fall. If the movie can persuade one student on each campus not to get involved with binge drinking or to immediately offer a helping hand to someone who has done so, the Gordie Foundation will be credited with saving lives.</p>
<p>I remember how much pain you carried from your friend Gordie's death. As you begin the first year of your own graduate studies, it is painful to recall that Gordie did not live past the first weeks of his freshman year.<br>
The movie will be a tribute to a good friend from good friends. I hope it will save some lives.</p>
<p>Xiggi,
Thanks so much for sharing this. I have forwarded the link to my kids and sibblings who have kids of college age. It is such a tragedy and you feel so much pain by just watching the trailer! I'm sure this movie will save many lives and make people more aware of what goes on in colleges. </p>
<p>Thanks for the link. My son also knew this young man, although not as well as Xiggi did. Their peer group had several tragedies and they sure leave a mark.</p>
<p>Thank you for posting the link. I feel for your loss, and, in a strange way, also feel for the criminals, now likely college graduates, at least partially responsible for the deed. I think it is sad that we always put this in the passive voice: "young people are dying in increasing numbers due to alcohol abuse. No, they are being killed by those who facilitate their drinking, and by those college administrators who look the other way. "Young people are being sexually abused or experiencing rape." No, they are being set upon by sexual assaulters and rapists masquerading as college students. </p>
<p>It's about time we look for perpetrators, and name names.</p>
<p>Xiggi, so sorry for your loss. I hope some good comes out of this tragedy. It is said that if you save a single life, it is as if you saved the entire world.</p>
<p>I think everyone should see this movie.
xiggi, I'm so sorry about your loss.
I actually lost a friend myself at another college last year due to alcohol poisoning.
I know that the scene I'm personally involved has the potential of being very dangerous.</p>
<p>This was a very powerful movie xiggi, and i hope that prospective college students will take a second look at joining frats and drinking when underage. Because of this video, your friend's death will not be in vain.</p>
<p>nooob- I think taking a second look is smart, but I don't think in the way you meant it. The lesson's that should be taken away are more along the lines of taking stupid risks, demeaning yourself, demeaning others, and looking out for your fellow man. My fraternity makes all new members watch HAZE, and I'm glad it does. Hazing is moronic, and anyone who would subject themselves to it for any reason has no self respect. So joining a fraternity that hazes, as illustrated by Gordie's tragic story, isn't just something to look twice at- just don't do it.</p>
<p>But joining fraternities at all? Myself and all the members of my chapter of my fraternity have only benefitted from our membership.</p>
<p>A very close friend of mine passed away at the end of this past year from alcohol poisoning. He was not in a fraternity. In fact, had he been, he'd likely have been drinking with friends that night, who'd not have let him behave as recklessly as he did (and it was extremely recklessly). Do I think people should take a second look at drinking underage? Honestly, no- I think they should take a second look at their habits when drinking. </p>
<p>These are lessons people should learn without such tragedies, but it seems only shocks wake people up to reality. And sadly, I'm sure I'll see our mutual friends stumbling home this fall.</p>
<p>arbiter213: I think we are talking about the same person actually. :(.. seeing that you attend Northwestern.
I knew him before college.
He will be missed.</p>
<p>I agree with you on fraternities. I would not let any of my brothers drink a ridiculously unhealthy amount and I am sure that the actions of my brothers are reciprocated.</p>
<p>Gordie's parents came to speak last year and I was profoundly moved by their portrayal of how alcohol can have such devastating impacts on both the drinker and everyone else around him. I kept the green Gordie Foundation card with me at all times. Tragic yes I'm glad he's left a legacy for others to remember and learn from.</p>
<p>Thank you for the link, Xiggi. I watched the trailer with my daughter (15 yrs. old) today. It is an incredibly tragic story. Not just the drinking, but leaving someone who had passed out alone that way.</p>
<p>Is this Gordon Bailey, the same person, who defended his alcohol habits on the old CC, was warned by multitudes, and later was found dead of alcohol poisoning?</p>
<p>Thank you for posting this Xiggi. I have sent the link to my daughter and am also sending it to my close friend whose daughter has just started college.</p>