By
Chris Martin
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Family, teammates, friends remember Osburn
The McKale Center is a large facility, bu it wasn't nearly large enough to contain the heart of deceased Wildcat second baseman Kelsey Osburn.
As family, teammates and friends celebrated Osburn's life Saturday in a memorial at the McKale Center, one word was used over and over to describe the fallen Wildcat infielder - heart.
Osburn died this summer in Rochester, N.Y., after being struck in the head by a batted ball during warm-ups before a game as a member of the Newark (N.Y.) Raptors.
At Saturday's memorial, Osburn's teammates were quick to praise the 5-foot-7 infielder's spirit.
"Kelsey may not have been the biggest guy on the field but he had the biggest heart," UA junior pitcher Ben Diggins said. "I believe we should use this day not to mourn Kelsey Osburn but to celebrate Kelsey."
Osburn's encompassing smile and energetic attitude clearly affected the lives of those around him - a crowd of about a thousand people attended the memorial service.
Former Arizona baseball coach Jerry Kindall emceed the service. Several people - including Osburn's father and teammates Shelley Duncan, Keoni DeRenne and Diggins -remembered Osburn in the evening service.
DeRenne, who flew in from Macon, Ga. to attend the service admired his teammate as the ultimate role model.
"From the moment I saw him, I knew there was something special," DeRenne said. "There was a warm smile that lit up Kelsey's face every time. These past years with Kelsey have helped me become a better person and more importantly, a better friend."
To commemorate Osburn's life, the Wildcats will have the number 41 - Osburn's jersey number - embroidered on the back of their game hats.
During the ceremony Osburn's teammates were dressed in their full jerseys for most of the ceremony. The team then took off their jersey's tops and unveiled blue T-shirts with a phrase that read: "He's fast, but he ain't Kelsey fast."
The phrase was used during last season to describe Osburn's outstanding speed and determination.
According to friends and family, it was Osburn's love of life and people - not his athletic ability - that left a lasting impression on those he knew best.
Adam Wilkes, a lifelong friend of Osburn, sent an audiotape recording from Russia expressing the memories and attributes of Osburn.
Wilkes said Osburn held four key attributes in his life - a cheerful attitude, selflessness, work ethic and charity - that will help guide the rest of his own life.
Charity may have been best used by Wilkes in describing Osburn, as he defined charity as "the pure love of other people."
People loved Osburn too, as Duncan said, "There is no secret the love I have for Kelsey.
He is my best friend and my other half. He was the kindest and most caring guy I've ever known."
Glenda Wilkes, Adam's mother, agreed.
"Adam considered Kelsey to be his very best friend," she said. "We all have been changed forever by the miracle of Kelsey's life. We didn't have him for nearly long enough but aren't we glad we had him for a little while."
Osburn's father, Mike, reminded people that his son's life should be celebrated rather than mourned.
Mike Osburn spoke for his wife and son in thanking the gathered audience.
"Emily, Chaun and I thank you for all coming today and celebrating, and I mean celebrate," Mike Osburn said. "We are forced by circumstances way beyond our comprehension to say goodbye to you. We will find a way to look forward with optimism."
Though "41" will be embroidered on the back of the Arizona baseball caps for only next year, Osburn's memory will live on forever in the hearts of all he touched.
"I believe that Kelsey is in a better place than we are today," DeRenne said. "Kelsey Osburn was a blessing to all of us and was here for a reason. Thank you Kelsey, you are truly a blessing from God."
