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A constant reminder of his 'good friend'

Wisconsin's Travis Beckum wears a pink bracelet to remind him of Sarah Stachula, who died in a car accident in May.

By BY IZZY GOULD
Published December 31, 2007

Wisconsin's Travis Beckum, carrying the ball against Ohio State on Nov. 3, wears a pink bracelet on his right wrist to remember his friend who died May 27 in a car accident.
	[Getty Images]

TAMPA - The pink bracelet wrapped around Travis Beckum's right wrist never comes off.

It's loose enough to fall and hide behind the Wisconsin tight end's right glove, and tight enough to keep his high school sweetheart close.

Inscribed on it is "Sarah #23." The rubber bracelet is a memento of the 20-year-old girl he called his "good friend," a tangible reminder of someone he considered his female equivalent.

Beckum last saw her two days before she was involved in a car accident. He remembers the last text message she sent hours before her death.

"Are you still in Milwaukee?" she wrote.

Beckum, 20, was at school in Madison, Wis., preparing for another morning of offseason conditioning when he got a phone call. Sarah Stachula, 20, was one of four people riding in her friend's sport utility vehicle in the early morning hours of May 27 along a highway just south of Milwaukee. The driver lost control, and the vehicle flipped.

Sarah, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and died at the scene.

"I miss her presence," Beckum said. "I always think about her. She had such an impact on my life even when we were friends. We had so many things in common. It's just horrible to know she was the one chosen."

The driver, Nenad Paldrmic, 20, was charged with homicide and drunk driving. He was sentenced in August to one year in the House of Correction with work release privileges and 10 years probation.

Beckum lost the friend with whom he had shared so much.

They were a pair of promising multisport athletes who dated steadily at Oak Creek Wis. High. Coincidentally, they both wore No. 23 as basketball players and also shared No. 1; Beckum in football and Sarah in volleyball.

Separating for college, among other things, pushed them apart. There were stretches with long breaks, but they renewed their bond just before her passing.

"Luckily, we were talking," Beckum said. "... Then I got the call. It crushed me."

Sarah would have known about Beckum's rise to becoming an All-American tight end and his curiosity with making an early jump to the NFL. She could have offered a grounding voice to help Beckum, who decided to return for his senior season, believing he can still improve. Beckum had come to Wisconsin to play defense, to be a linebacker.

"Honestly, I probably played tight end in high school five times," Beckum said. "... I never really had a chance to work on my hands."

When Beckum considers the NFL, he compares himself to versatile Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, who played for Wisconsin's Outback Bowl opponent, Tennessee.

At 6 feet 4, 224 pounds, Beckum led the nation's tight ends in receiving yards (960), ranked second with 73 catches and had six touchdowns - all career highs. He was a finalist for the John Mackey Award presented to the nation's top tight end.

Badgers teammates simply refer to him as a complete player. Center Marcus Coleman considers him a sure thing.

"He's an unbelievable athlete," Coleman said. "He has the surest hands on the team. He makes unbelievable plays."

Through a season that has weighed heavily on his mind, Beckum has maintained his composure. Coach Bret Bielema recalled a luncheon Friday where he was telling players what they should look like when they walk in.

"He comes by with his sleeves rolled up, flexing his biceps, showing me how big his arm is (and) thinking it was pretty funny," Bielema said. "He's always just got one of those things going."

Beckum often reverts to memories of Sarah. He quietly dedicates some of his games to her. Now, some of the best moments are when he sleeps.

"I often have dreams about her, us being together," Beckum said. "The weirdest ones I have are of her in a car crash, but she was alive and just paralyzed. It's sad to say this, but it would be better than what she is now."

Izzy Gould can be reached at izzygould@gmail.com or (727) 580-5315.

OUTBACK BOWL

No. 16 Tennessee vs. No. 18 Wisconsin

11 a.m. Tuesday, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa.

TV: ESPN.

[Last modified December 30, 2007, 22:46:44]