Sept. 23, 2011

 Photo Gallery | Video From Ground Zero with the Team

NEW YORK CITY - Even in the United Kingdom, Bethune-Cookman University golfer Alex Clapp had seen the images and video from September 11,2001 often as he grew up. Seeing Ground Zero in person during a recent trip gave the junior additional perspective.

"Being in New York City affected everyone on the team," Clapp said. "Everyone was touched by it. You think that there were these two big building that crumbled to nothing in no time flat. It makes you appreciate what the people in New York City went through and how fortunate that we didn't have family directly involved."

The B-CU men's team opened its season with a two-tournament swing through Maryland and New York. Head Coach Loritz Clark arranged the trip to the New York City to provide his players - many of whom are international students -- a life experience that extends beyond the golf course or even the classroom.

"My goal was to provide perspective," Clark said. "Whether it's ten or 15 years from now, our players can say "I was young when it happened, but I had the opportunity to see first-hand what happened and how the city of New York has responded.' ''

That rang true for Matthew McKnight, a sophomore from Northern Ireland.

"I had seen all the reports, but I could never get close to it," McKnight said. "Seeing it first-hand changes that. Even the rebuilding process is vast."

Two waterfalls now stand where the World Trade Center's Twin Towers collapsed ten years ago. Clark said he was moved at the site.

"Those waterfalls are now basically cemeteries for a lot of people," Clark said. "There is no final resting place for some families' loved ones ... it's a place to pay last respects and reflect.

" A nearby museum was where Clapp developed a stronger appreciation of the event.

"There were artifacts that included plane tickets, pieces of the plane and even text messages that had been sent," Clapp said. "I was looking at these artifacts and thinking the last remains of big buildings and airplanes was just little remnants. That made it hit harder."

Both the 9/11 Memorial and National September 11 Museum are open daily, but a reservation is needed to visit the 9/11 Memorial. For more information, visit www.911memorial.org