On Sunday, July 26, ESPN will devote a 15‑minute segment to the Blackstone Valley Schools Hockey team, a group of teenagers from several Rhode Island communities who have become a symbol of perseverance after a devastating tragedy.
The team, composed of students from St. Raphael Academy, Providence Country Day, North Providence High and North Smithfield, was forced to halt its season when a shooter opened fire at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, killing three family members of player Colin Dorgan and two other students.
The tragedy claimed the lives of Rhonda Dorgan, Aidan Dorgan and Gerald Dorgan, while the alleged shooter, Robert Dorgan, was also killed in the aftermath. Their loss left the program in shock, but it also sparked a determined effort to resume play.
Head coach Chris Librizzi, along with ESPN reporter Jeremy Schaap, interviewed Colin Dorgan, his sister Ava Dorgan, and other family members to capture the personal dimensions of the team’s resolve.
The feature follows the team’s unexpected playoff run that earned a rare commendation from the National Hockey League and captured the attention of a nation still reeling from the incident.
A story of resilience
Colin Dorgan’s decision to return to the ice, despite the pain of losing family members, illustrates a broader theme of resilience that resonates beyond the rink.
As the broadcast unfolds, the story serves as a reminder of how sports can provide a healing narrative for a community confronting grief.