TEXT SIZE: A | A
What Happened?
On September 17th, 2004, Lynn Gordon Bailey Jr. ("Gordie") was found dead at the Chi Psi Fraternity house at the University of Colorado at Boulder. On the evening of September 16th, Gordie and twenty-six other pledges dressed in coats and ties for "bid night", were taken blindfolded to the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest where they were “encouraged” to drink four "handles" (1.75 liter bottles) of whiskey and six (1.5 liter) bottles of wine around a bonfire in 30 minutes. They were told, “no one is leaving here until these are gone.” When the group returned to the Fraternity house, Gordie was visibly intoxicated and did not drink anymore. He was placed on a couch to “sleep it off” at approximately 11pm. His brothers proceeded to write on his body in another fraternity ritual. Gordie was left to "sleep it off" for 10 hours before he was found dead the next morning, face down on the floor. No one had called for help.
Who Was Gordie?
Gordie was 18 years old when he died. Just one month earlier, he had enrolled as a freshman at the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. In his four weeks at the University, Gordie had been named to the club lacrosse team and had become a pledge at Chi Psi Fraternity. Gordie went to Colorado after three years at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts where he excelled in athletics, music and drama. In his senior year he was co-captain of the varsity football team playing both middle linebacker and offensive guard. His knowledge of sports, especially football, was legendary. He also started at defense on the school’s New England championship lacrosse team. At graduation, he received the "Class of 2004 Award of Excellence in Drama" for his memorable performances in the Academy’s musical and dramatic theater productions. Since his death, this award has now been renamed "The Gordie" at Deerfield, in his honor.
While a senior, Gordie mentored younger students as a Proctor in an underclass dormitory combining his leadership skills with his constant sense of humor. In his spare time, he and his fellow Proctor’s made humorous videos with their Proctees, two of which can be viewed on this website under "Performances". Prior to attending Deerfield, Gordie attended St. Mark’s School of Texas, Dallas and The Lamplighter School, Dallas.
Gordie enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. visiting friends and family and made trips to Europe and Africa. He especially enjoyed his time in Sun Valley, Idaho visiting his father and step mother where he loved to snowboard in the winter, and fly fish, hike and play golf in the summer. He also vacationed frequently in Jamaica and was a huge fan of its reggae music. Gordie taught himself to play the guitar and songs from Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews or Bob Marley could often be heard coming from his room. Music and playing guitar had become a passion.
The many people whose lives he touched remember Gordie for his intelligence, leadership, compassion, humor and happiness. All who knew him felt his joy for life. His goal to be a positive role model and mentor to others was greatly enabled by his gift of putting a smile on everyone’s face. At Deerfield, Gordie and some friends started the "Hug Club," just one of the many legendary "Gordieisms." All who were lucky enough to receive a "Gordie hug" will miss it sorely. Gordie was often likened to a giant golden retriever and in turn, he cherished his special relationship with all his pets; Ziggy and Sammy, his cats, and Max and Darla, his golden retriever and corgi. He especially prized his family and friends but most of all, his closest friend and sister, Lily.