On February 11, 2020, Sam Asbury, a former Sigma Chi at the University of Georgia and recent graduate at the time, took his own life. It was a day of pain, sorrow and grief, but it was a day that converged paths for so many people as the legacy of Sam lives on forever.

In the wake of Sam’s suicide, Carrie Smith, Director of Student Care and Outreach, visited the Sigma Chi house to offer herself, her team and her office as a resource to those struggling with the loss of Sam and potential mental health battles with themselves.

“I went into that chapter room, and I will never forget it,” said Carrie. “Seeing the way those men were responding, but not really knowing how to respond. I remember guys having hoodies pulled up over their face, people not knowing if they could cry, if they were supposed to, and then people feeling guilty because they felt like they didn’t see something.”

The somber chapter room at the Sigma Chi house on that chilly day in February would never be the same, but a group of those brothers would soon come up with a bright idea to honor Sam’s name and raise awareness for the horrible reality of suicide.

Come fall of 2020, the Sigma Chi’s hosted a “fight night” at the house. Maybe not regulated, but it was a heap of fun. Those brothers that sat in that chapter room confused, deflated and despaired just six months prior saw an opportunity in a few college kids putting on boxing gloves.

David Asbury, Sam’s father, started the Samuel L. Asbury Foundation raising money and awareness for depression, mental health and suicide. Sam’s former fraternity brothers knew just what to do to put the foundation on a platform that would generate awareness … the Fight Against Suicide was born.

“David Asbury took it upon himself to honor Sam’s name,” said John Fiveash, a Sigma Chi and integral part in the organization of the Fight Against Suicide. “But he also did it to make sure no other parent has to go through what he and his wife did. The whole point of this is to start having those difficult conversations about mental health.”

In September of 2021, eight fighters from Sigma Chi battled eight fighters from UGA’s Kappa Alpha chapter. I was lucky enough to be one of those eight representing KA. I did, in fact, lose, but to raise awareness for an issue like this, I’d take a million more punches to the nose.

John noted that in year one of the fight, they raised just north of $10,000, a great start; however, as the fight has grown in the past four years, the 2024 campaign raised more than $225,000 for the Sam Asbury Foundation!

This year, the Fight Against Suicide was not just Sigma Chi and KA fighters, rather it was open to the entire University in order to spread the word of the cause beyond two fraternities. One of those fighters was Ford Sheppard, a senior at UGA, with a mean right hook and a whole lot of motivation to do his part in and out of the ring, raising awareness and money for the cause.

An added incentive to the 2024 fight was a true champion’s belt awarded to the fighter who raised the most money among those boxing. Ford was defeated in the ring but took home the belt as his efforts brought in $19,000 alone.

“The first fight was my freshman year,” said Ford. “I sat in the stands and thought that was awesome, I want to do that. Get to this year, my senior year, and I had one last chance to do this. That was all the hype. Then, I got to be a part of it and realize all that the fight represents. It became so much more, and I was so honored to fight in it.”

Despite the success of the fight, suicide is still a very real challege that tears into our lives daily as those who struggle with mental health lose this battle continuously. It doesn’t end with the Fight Against Suicide. It only begins with it.

Carrie and her office are professionals that get out in the field and help students throughout the Classic City; the Fight Against Suicide is an official boxing match that raises awareness, but it doesn’t take a professional and it doesn’t take an official event to check on your people; nor does it take a professional to check on yourself.

“Model your own behavior,” said Carrie. “I’ve laughed and told people that I get paid to talk about other people’s problems so I can ignore mine. I have to check myself a lot … I can’t talk to students in my office and not model what I’m saying in my own life. We need to invest in our well-being, our own mental health. Then, it becomes important enough to us that we will go to others and share the message.”

The Asbury family are champions, strong-willed, amazing people that took a tragedy in their lives and turned it into a cause that honors their late son’s name. The Fight Against Suicide is an incredible event that has changed and will continue to change the lives of those affected by mental health issues, but it won’t end there. We, human beings with a heartbeat that is oh so precious, can be champions of change as well by first checking on ourselves and then spreading this message.

“We don’t have to save mental health conversations for the therapist’s office,” said Carrie. “We can have them in the fraternity house and places where we feel comfortable.”

University of Georgia students, Athens, St. Simons, Macon and whoever else, seek help and let’s #BeWellUGA!