IMSA remembers late teammate

Updated: April 2, 2011 9:24AM

Opening day in the softball/baseball world is usually marked with unbridled optimism, inspired by a new season's potential - real or imagined - that hasn't had time to be sullied by the sometimes hard truths on-field performance brings.

Fifteen days ago, it served another purpose for coach Sam Bonafede and his Illinois Math & Science Academy softball team. It provided a chance to honor a former teammate with a memorial service that, hopefully, helped provide some comfort and closure for those who have to move on.

Before their game with Paw Paw, the Titans remembered Brittany Burash, a 16-year-old from Grand Ridge, a small town of about 500 located midway between Ottawa and Streator on state Route 23. She died tragically in LaSalle County traffic accident last August.

"It was very tough," said Bonafede, still struggling with his emotions. "We have nine kids back from last year's team and it was a tough thing for all of them."

The Titans are coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history, when they went 20-5 and won the inaugural Northeastern Athletics Conference title with a perfect 10-0 record. Burash was a sophomore center fielder on that team and figured to be ready to step up into an even bigger role this season.

"She had a bad wrist last year that hampered her swing," said Bonafede, explaining why Burash didn't get many at-bats.

She had surgery in late summer and he hoped to move her to shortstop this spring.

"Some kids you get closer to than others and she was one of them," the coach continued. "During the season and in the offseason she would e-mail me and I'd e-mail her."

On Friday, Aug. 13, Burash did just that, letting her coach know she'd be back on the IMSA campus the following Wednesday. She also told him about the surgery and asked if he would be at the school. She wanted him to sign her cast.

Bonafede never got the chance.

Two days later, Burash was one of three people killed in a one-vehicle crash in the early evening on a country road outside of Ottawa.

Burash's IMSA teammates attended her wake. Some attended her funeral. And all were on hand for a candlelight vigil and service for her classmates held at the school in August. It ended on the softball field.

Bonafede wanted to remember her again at his team's opener. They hung a plaque in the dugout to honor Burash and gave a copy of it to her mom and dad (Andrew Jr. and Cindy) and two sisters (Amber and Jessica) who were in attendance. Both of Brittany's sisters had graduated from IMSA.

"We can't just forget her," said Bonafede, whose team has dedicated their season to her and will wear Burash's No. 15 on their practice shirts and pants this season. "She was a fun kid, smiled all the time. She really wanted to play."

These Titans will remember.

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