NYU Swimming Remembers 9-11

Feature by Michelle Berman

NEW YORK, New York, September 6. FOR some of us who witnessed the attacks of September 11, all we had to connect us to the scene was the television in our homes. However, others were instead in a place where the attacks were seen up close and personal.

For Robert Sorensen, current head coach of the men's swim team at New York University as well as Aquatics Director, September 11 was seen from almost every media outlet possible.

On the morning of September 11, Sorensen went into work early and opened the pool for lap swim. However, when the lifeguard for the 9 a.m. shift showed up, his ordinary day at work, which Sorensen said was what "You might call one of the ten best weather days of the year," took a turn for the worst. Sorensen was informed that what appeared to be a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers, leaving a gaping hole that bursted with flames.

Sorensen decided to take a look for himself. "I went to the roof of our athletic center, which is only two floors high and has a running track and tennis courts on it," said Sorensen. "From there and looking about two miles south, I could see that something had hit one of the twin towers."

In-person view? Check.

Sorensen recounted much of the rest of his morning in grimacing detail.

"There was still the normal heavy traffic we have during ‘rush hour' but I could hear fire engines' sirens racing to the scene. Not many people had heard about the first plane hitting the building and were still on their way to work," said Sorensen. "I went back down into our building to see if television was starting to cover the story. Our cable was out so I listened to an all-news radio station for a short time. Then I heard about the second plane and the second tower being struck."

Radio? Check.

For Sorensen there was still a lot of unknown, and for him, just like thousands of others, the most important thing was tracking down his wife. "I tried to call my wife to tell her that I was okay and to see if she had any news about the story, but the phone circuits were overloaded, and I couldn't get through for quite a while."

Phone? Check.

Sorensen was sadly just one of thousands and thousands of people who couldn't get through to their loved ones.

As so many of us remember details about that day there is one thing that leaves a striking image in everyone's mind who remained there that day. The silence.

Sorensen recounts that traffic was busier than ever. "Traffic on the street had pretty much stopped and there were very few cars. The main streets going south were blocked off by the police to allow emergency vehicles through," said Sorensen. "People were walking around in shock in the streets and on the sidewalks. Other than the sirens, Manhattan was quiet like a Sunday morning. It stayed that way all day and for several days after."

Throughout the rest of the day on September 11 many buildings, shops, restaurants, and even offices were turned into emergency centers where people could come and get treatment, or simply recount their stories alongside other survivors. The Aquatics Center was no different.

"Around 9:30 or 10:00 a.m., I was speaking to our assistant athletic director. Our building was to become an emergency evacuation center. At least a hundred cots, blankets, and supplies were placed on our field house floor," said Sorensen. "Few people came however."

Anyone who watched, heard, or experienced the events of 9/11 first hand, knows feelings of sadness, disbelief, fear, and even hope, but these were only a few of the emotions felt by the public on that day. Sorensen was no different.

"Obviously I am sad, as I knew several people that died that day, and I knew many firefighters and several police that responded to the scene. Many were former swimmers and ocean lifeguards that I had swum with, worked with, or competed against," said Sorensen. "On another level, I was also shocked that planes could be hijacked that easily and aimed at buildings."

William Gasperoni, Assistant Men's Swimming Coach currently in his 13th season says that the events of 9-11 are, "A reminder of mortality and global hate – and that anything can happen. It changed my idea of how to interact with people on a personal level."

As a coaches of an elite athletic program, Sorensen and Gasperoni added a difficult task to their already emotionally draining day. They had to deal with the members of the team and as all coaches know, when you put a group of athletes in one location after a hard and emotional day, you are silly if you do not expect some sort of repercussions to occur. Sorensen and Gasperoni were lucky to have a team that was very united, although Sorensen says that the event and the aftermath brought the team closer than ever.

"It prodded them to support each other and to think and act more as a team," said Sorensen.

Everyone has a lasting image in his or her minds of the events that occurred on 9-11. However everyone remembers it just a little bit differently, and remembers a specific instance that belongs only to them. Sorensen has a vivid memory of his.

"I live in Brooklyn about a dozen miles from the Twin Towers, and when I looked on my sidewalk the day after the attack, I found papers from one the towers on my sidewalk. It had been carried by the wind that far and further on to some of the beaches in NY from a 1,000 foot tower," said Sorensen. "It was another reminder of how big of an incident this truly was."

For Gasperoni the events of 9-11 are a reminder that the way people treat one another should be a priority to everyone.

"The events of the day still make me uncomfortable to think about it too closely. When I hear about more attacks or incidents I think ‘no one learns anything' and ‘what's wrong with people'," said Gasperoni. "On a personal level, it's a reminder on how to live and how to treat people – I believe there was so much hate out there – and I try to make sure not to perpetuate any of that. Very un–New York, I know."

With the 10-year anniversary looming both Gasperoni and Sorensen have different plans.

"Oddly, the anniversary always seems to be a beautiful day. And 9/11 was a beautiful day. You kind of want it to be dark and cloudy and sad, but it never is. My closest friend was in the Tower that day. It's the one thing I remember every year – and in fact anytime I think about it. That was the scariest part for me.," said Gasperoni. "So really I experience the anniversary on a personal level and spend it with her – grateful that she is still here. And I try to make sure to be grateful for people in the same way, all the time."

Sorensen plans on watching the 10-year anniversary on television and staying as close to the range of media outlets as possible to help him remember that day.

"I pray that we never have anything like this happen again."

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