busybeeburns Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 IT was with a tear in his eye and a lump in his throat that one-quarter of one of the most famous rock bands on the planet returned to his hometown of Southampton. Coldplay drummer Will Champion took time out of the award-winning band's hectic schedule to perform a heartfelt honour. He was invited to Southampton University to officially open a new archaeology building, which holds special significance for his family. The musician's late-mother Dr Sara Champion, who lost her battle with cancer in 2000, worked as a lecturer in the department with which she was associated for nearly 30 years. The connection does not end there as his dad Tim still works in the department as a Professor of Archaeology. A crowd of more than 100 people gathered at the opening of the new £2m Crawford Building at the university's Avenue Campus in Highfield. Addressing the audience with a touching speech, Will, 28, said: "I will keep it brief because, as you know, drummers are not best known for their public speaking. The last time I was in this building, or I should say the old building, I was picking up a silver medal for a Southampton Schools under-15 trampolining competition. I am convinced it was a fix. I am very proud to be here on behalf of my family and my band. Growing up as the youngest son of two archaeologists, it is difficult to understate the impact the subject has had on my life, considering even my babysitters were archaeologists!" The father of a five-month baby girl added that Champion family holidays invariably featured "obelisks, burial grounds and hill forts". Will recalled working briefly for the university himself as "a penniless 18 year-old" when he assisted with a department relocation. The avid Saints fan added: "The building seems to encapsulate lots of things my mum held very dear: art, archaeology, technology and people." Becoming choked and glassy-eyed, he paused to clear his throat and regain his composure and concluded by saying: "It is a very fitting tribute to her and on behalf of everyone here, I can declare it officially open." A seminar room within the new department has been named in honour of his mother. Speaking to the Daily Echo, his father Professor Tim Champion, who has worked at the university for the best part of three decades, said: "It is a special day for the family and it is good that the school has invited Will, as somebody who grew up with two parents who were academic archaeologists who worked with the university for a long time, but did not become an archaeologist himself. "He read anthropology at University College London which is an interest he gained from us but obviously a different career developed for him!" The new three-storey archaeology department, which features state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, replaces a number of buildings that were spread across the campus. http://www.thisishampshire.net/display.var.961827.0.just_champion_coldplay_star_back_home_for_university_opening.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chlorofit Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 :yay: for will :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasluvsjonny Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I love a man who supports his home town. Yah for Will and COYR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladybug Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 That is so touching... & What an honour that they invited him to open the new building! I think that's very cool. Plus, Southampton rocks anyway. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowshine Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 that's cool news, thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oskarpc2001 Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 i lost my brother, and i understand you Will... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Sparks Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 This is one of the most touching and most beautiful things I've ever read.. I have even more respect for Will now, it's good to find out something about his background and the fact that he truly stands behind his past, his parents and his background is amazing. I truly feel sorry for him losing his mother in such a sad way, and he truly is a strong, wonderful man! Respect to you, Will! You're one-of-a-kind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anitafranc Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 aww Will how sweet! that's so great for their family! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex22 Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Thank you for posting the article. A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldplay_steph Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Awwww, so touching :cry: :heart: Thankyou for posting Ian :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedCLOCKS Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 awwww, good on ya Will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostbitepanda Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Will makes me all fuzzy inside. I love him. How cool is it that he grew up in that sort of environment? No wonder he's so smart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunar1126 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 As an anthropologist/archaeologist in training, I really think it's cool that Will grew up with this type of background. He even studied anthro in University himself! Makes me feel like I have some little bitty connection with him, or...something. :P Anthropologists unite! :D (And didn't Jon study astronomy?....because this happens to be a huge hobby of mine as well (note username). Yessssss, I love these guys!) Humm, U of Southampton has a postgrad degree in archaeology....and I am looking into grad schools....:idea2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymcnabb Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Aww, hes smart too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fixed Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 I'd like to raise a glass to Will and his family, what an amazing, nice guy and a wonderful family :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crestingwaves Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 Thanks for posting it? But where do you ppl get these articles...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackchickintheback Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 I'd like to raise a glass to Will and his family' date=' what an amazing, nice guy and a wonderful family :)[/quote'] Amen! aw...I just love will! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fudge Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 that's just so sweet I had a tear in my eye too. major willuv this morning. all the best to him and his family XX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breakfast_of_CHAMPION Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Wow, he is so sweet, like I didnt already know that. Thanks for posting this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lore Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 awww I love him :blush: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fixed Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Will is the reason I started getting drum lessons and why my first drum kit is being delivered on Monday and why I just ordered "Play Drums With Coldplay" - that's how much I admire him, what a guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra_coldplay Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 The first song i couldn't play on drums was yellow. I didn't have a drumkit yet, but i tried it just with my feet on the ground and an imaginare drumkit. Later i got my drumkit and i could play it :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Source: http://www.soton.ac.uk/about/dolphinWinter.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busybeeburns Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share Posted May 25, 2007 thanks Larry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plug_in_coldplaying Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Willypoo:blush: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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