A Loss That Left Us Searching for Answers
The Lynchburg Athletics community was left reeling when they announced the heartbreaking news:
“It is with the deepest sadness that we learned of the loss of one of our students. Frank Csorba, an undergraduate alumnus in criminology and graduate student in the master of public health program, passed away Tuesday.”
Frank had been a six-time All-American, a national champion, and an athlete who left his mark on the program. But his greatest impact wasn’t just in his accomplishments – it was in the relationships he built and the inspiration he gave to those around him.
“Through the years, he lifted others to reach the impossible and smiled with every run,” his teammates shared in a statement. His absence is felt everywhere.
No cause of death has been made public, and the focus remains on remembering the legacy Frank left behind.
The Teammate Who Made Every Race Matter
I never met Frank Csorba, but after reading about his story and seeing how much he meant to his teammates, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
How do you say goodbye to someone who should still be here?
How does a team move forward when the heart of it is suddenly gone?
Frank wasn’t just an All-American track star – he was the energy, the drive, and the spirit of the Lynchburg Hornets. His presence on and off the track was undeniable. His teammates described him as a force of nature, a leader, and most of all, a friend.
From everything I’ve read, Frank Csorba wasn’t just fast – he was the kind of athlete who made everyone around him better. Whether he was leading the team to a national title in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) or breaking records, he never ran for himself – he ran for his team.
His teammates, Tor Hotung-Davidsen and Jonathan Cobb, spoke about Frank with deep respect and admiration.
“Frank cared about winning, but more importantly, he cared about winning with his teammates,” Hotung-Davidsen shared. That kind of selflessness is rare, especially in sports where individual success often overshadows teamwork.
But Frank wasn’t just an athlete – he was a friend, a motivator, a competitor. And when he lined up at the starting line, he gave everything.
We Ran for Him – Because That’s What Frank Would Do
What do you do when you lose a teammate?
You run for them.
Just days after Frank’s passing, his teammates stepped onto the track for the ODAC Championship – an event Frank should have been racing in.
On the night of the 10,000-meter race, Hotung-Davidsen stepped up wearing Frank’s bib number. He had been injured all season, but that night, it wasn’t about winning – it was about honoring Frank.
The first lap was for Frank. A ceremonial tribute, a moment of silence in motion.
“That first 400 meters, all the emotions came up. I remember almost crying on the first lap,” Cobb later admitted.
For Hotung-Davidsen, it was something even deeper.
“I didn’t have any emotion in the moment. I just felt like I was running with Frank again. I came back to reality after I crossed the finish line to hug my coach.”
And then, in the most fitting tribute of all, the Hornets won their fourth ODAC title. Cobb took first place in the 10,000-meter event – the event that Frank had dominated.
As Hotung-Davidsen crossed the finish line, he lifted his arms to the sky, saying his final goodbye to his teammate, his friend.
Frank’s Legacy Lives in Every Stride
Frank wasn’t just a runner. He was a fighter, a leader, a brother to his teammates. And even though he’s gone, his impact remains.
“Frank’s motto was to live every day like it’s your last,” Hotung-Davidsen reflected. “Living for Frank, his legacy, and his family is all we can do.”
Lynchburg is already discussing ways to honor Frank’s memory, possibly through a scholarship fund for future student-athletes.
But the real tribute?
It’s in every mile his teammates run.
Every race they push through.
Every moment they carry his energy, his passion, and his love for the sport.
Because Frank never ran alone.
And even now, his legacy runs on.
If you’re here reading this, I hope you’ll take a moment to pause and think of Frank’s family, friends, and teammates. Their loss is something no one should have to go through, and right now, they need all the love and strength they can get.
Say a prayer. Light a candle. Hold his memory close. However you choose to honor him, just know that it matters.
If you’d like, leave a message of support or a memory of Frank in the comments. Let’s show his loved ones that his impact will never fade. He may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten.