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Brian Archie, a senior on the UB track team reportedly took his own life over the weekend. Archie leaves behind his parents Brian Sr and Olympia. He is also survived by three brothers (Brandon, Lateaf and Salmod) and four sisters (Jerica, Bria, Brionna, Breajah).
The Buffalo jumper drew his inspiration by track superstar Carl Lewis. He used that inspiration to become a standout athlete at Niagara Falls High School where he captained the track team three seasons.
Archie was everything you hope for out of a student athlete, excelling both on the track and in the classroom. One of UB's leaders on the track Brian was also an international business and Spanish major, qualifying for last seasons All-Conference Academic team with a 3.319 grade point average.
But it's not his accomplishments on the track, or even in the classroom, that will define his legacy. The outpouring of love and grief by the UB and Niagara Falls Communities in the hours following his passing has been substantial.
The loss of a young man or woman at that age leaves a mark with all those who cared for them. The people who loved and laughed with Brian will carry a piece of him with them for the rest of their lives.
Depression and suicidal thoughts are not only felt by struggling or ostracized kids. A person grappling with the pain of a deep depression, no matter how good their life might look and no matter how strong of mind, can be helpless against an onslaught of darkness. The University has a resource center for people who are either struggling with, or know someone struggling with depression.