7/18: A Swarthmore Voice Forever Silenced

Swarthmore College and the Department of Athletics lost one of its most enthusiastic supporters. Tariq Fischer '08, Garnet public address announcer and sports editor of The Phoenix, was killed in a car accident on July 13 on Rt. 20 in Thomason, Georgia.

Tariq immersed himself in Swarthmore athletics from the moment he stepped on campus. The energetic freshman made his Garnet debut behind the mike at the annual Swat Kick Classic soccer tournament on Sept. 2. He would go on to appear at various soccer and field hockey matches, basketball contests, and lacrosse games. Swarthmore athletes, parents, students, faculty, staff, and general fans caught on to the enthusiasm in his voice, elevating their cheers with each Garnet score.

Tariq joined the staff of The Phoenix, the weekly school paper, in the fall of 2004, covering the men's and women's soccer teams. The freshman, whose writing style was marked by colorful verbs and off-the-wall references, struck gold with the men's soccer squad, covering its memorable season from a 3-0 start all the way to a Centennial playoff berth.

Tariq wrote, and talked, about everything Swarthmore, from the Mullan Center, to the Sports Medicine Department, to the storied Swarthmore-Haverford rivalry. He called for more school pride, welcomed Bobby Knight (an April Fools' column), and glorified the baseball team.

Tariq profiled Garnet runners, cyclists, and Earthworms (the Swarthmore Ultimate frisbee team). He was in Tarble Pavilion as Matt Gustafson moved closer to a basketball scoring record and traveled to Haverford to see the women's basketball team clinch another playoff spot. He even dressed the part, taking part in Flossy Wednesdays.

Tariq will be badly missed, but certainly not forgotten.

The members of the Department of Athletics extend their thoughts and prayers to the Fischer family.

Donations in memory of Tariq can be made to the Panacea Fund, c/o The Fischer Family, 764 Eagleton Drive, Martinez, GA 30907.

Obituary in Augusta Chronicle - 7/19/05