Mark Baker's column
Chippewa Herald: Saturday, Dec. 17. 2005

Collicott rises to the occasion, foretelling of things to come

A single moment -- a quiet, unexpected moment -- spoke volumes about one man.

Brian Collicott and his wife, Jennifer, were guests at Tuesday's Rotary Club meeting. The surviving Chi-Hi band director was to be our luncheon speaker. It was his first public speaking engagement since the October 16 bus crash that killed five people, including his friend and co-director, Doug Greenhalgh.

Brian arrived at the luncheon in a wheelchair, forced to sit because of a crushed ankle and broken femur, among a host of other injuries he suffered in the crash.

For the first half hour, Rotarians and their guests go through a buffet line, find a table, and then eat lunch while visiting with each other. At half past noon, club president Steve Herriges sounded a bell to announce that the social part of the luncheon was over, and the program was about to begin.

"Please stand and face the flag, put your hand over your heart, and join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance," announced Herriges.

Around the room, members pushed back their chairs and made their way to their feet, focusing their attention on the American flag near the front corner of the room.

That's when it happened.

Without a word, without asking his wife or anyone else for help, the teacher known as "C" grabbed the armrests of his wheelchair. In one fluid motion, he raised himself to his full height, putting all his weight on his one good leg, remaining perfectly still until the pledge and prayer were over.

Everyone knew we were in the presence of a man of great character.

A few minutes later, Brian spoke about the incredible loss suffered on October 16.

After a terrific performance at state competition in Whitewater, Collicott found a seat behind bus driver Paul Rasmus and soon fell asleep on the drive home. He was awakened by the awfulness of the crash, and found himself trapped behind the driver's seat.

He assessed his injury, trying to move, and realized he couldn't. Besides the broken femur and ankle, he'd suffered a cracked sternum and broken ribs. Seeing the extent of the devastation around him, he decided the best thing he could do was remain calm, as it would be a long time before help would arrive.

But it wasn't easy.

"I saw things that bother me," he told a hushed crowd. "I think about it every night."

He accepted the invitation to come to Rotary in hopes that getting out into the community will help the healing process. The night before, he made a surprise appearance at the annual holiday band concerts at Chi-Hi, bringing the packed house to its feet.

Brian is already looking forward to coming back to work, which could happen as early as February. He has plans on how he wants to change some things in the department, because he wants to look forward rather than dwell on the past.

There'll be no more calling the summer training "death camp," because the verbiage is no longer appropriate after October 16, he said. Yes, band members will still run a lot and do pushups designed to build upper body strength and teach discipline, but the experience is so much more than that name, he said.

Even before the accident, said Brian, he had been working with Doug to take more ownership of next year's marching band program. While this year's program focused on Robin Hood, he's thinking next year's will be about a hero. One thing he knows for sure: he will try to weave in 10-15 seconds of Robin Hood as a reprise, but he won't do a remembrance show.

"I can't teach that all year long," he admitted.

Another thing he does know is that he lives and teaches in an incredible community. From the very first, when his wife needed a ride to Rochester where he was undergoing surgery, to today, people have been caring and sharing. Almost as if by magic, gasoline and Gordy's gift cards showed up. Church members came night after night with prepared food. Teachers and students, parents and community residents have showered the Collicotts with cards, letters, prayers and best wishes for a full recovery.

When asked what the community could do for them, Brian responded, "We don't have any immediate needs."

"This community has been so great," agreed Jennifer. "We are so grateful."

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Contact Mark Baker at publisher@chippewa.com.