Love Like Charlee: ETSU softball starts youth clinic in honor of Charlee Blackburn

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — When the name Charlee Blackburn comes up, it carries a lot of weight in the Johnson City community - including a big smile, but likely a tear, as well.

On Wednesday night, it was the game of softball that brought many in the community together to celebrate the life of Charlee - who suddenly, and tragically, passed away earlier this year at just the age of 14.

With purple hair ties and some bracelets that read "Love Like Charlee," it made the experience of the first 'Charlee Clinic' a very successful one.

“We’re just really excited to share our field, our space, our knowledge, our players with the community," said ETSU head softball coach, Cheryl Milligan. “Just to be able to share it with our community, especially when they’re hurting a little bit, I hope it’s going to be a lot of fun for everybody.”

Over 30 young girls from Kindergarten through sixth grade took the diamond at Betty Basler Field in the first night of the free Charlee Clinic, that will take place each week through mid-May - all put on by ETSU softball.

And for some on the team, it started a journey for them to celebrate Charlee by helping others after getting to know her before she passed.

“I knew Charlee and got to know her in just a short amount of time in some training sessions," said ETSU sophomore infielder, Emily Musco. "She was just a great, kind soul. She loved the game and she was super hard working in just the time we had together. And it’s just really sad for it all, but I’m really glad to be out here supporting her.”

When the idea of the softball clinic first came around, it was Musco and several other teammates, along with Coach Milligan, that wanted to create a fun environment to help young girls learn the game. All while honoring Charlee and her connection to ETSU.

"It's just great to be able to help, while remembering Charlee and I think this will start a great few weeks ahead," added Musco. “I wear the purple in my hair for her when I play. So just to do anything to memorialize her, I love it.”

Meanwhile, just down the road at Winged Deer Park was more softball action that continued to share the aura and presence of Charlee on the diamond. Charlee's parents, David and Andrea were watching her school and team, Indian Trail, play some ball.

Not only was this a chance for the Blackburn's to support their daughter's friends - but to reflect on the support they have received over the last several months.

There's been so many people who’ve been so kind to us to remember her and honor her - and it means so much to us," said David. "We’ve been so blessed to have both the school she went to, Indian Trail, and ETSU, and the community to do several things to memorialize her.