‘You really wish it wouldn’t happen again’: Q & A with Derek O’Dell, victim of the 2007 Virginia Tech shootingsDerek O’Dell, now a vet student at Tech, says he copes with hearing about other mass shootings by learning the...
Haunting memories
Derek O’Dell (maroon shirt), President of the Virginia Tech Chess Club and Chuck Ronco, VT senior and co-organizer of the Hokie Memorial Chess Tournament. Memories of Va. Tech shooting haunt survivorWednesday, April 16, 2008Tamara JonesWashington Post Blacksburg, Va. –...
Hokie Memorial Funds
I just arrived at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA for the Hokie Memorial Chess Tournament to raise money for the Hokie Memorial Funds. I am bringing with me a special letter signed by the President, Provost, Senior Vice Provost...
A very special event on Oct 13-14
The Hokie Memorial Open Chess Tournament will take place on Oct 13-14. This is a special event to commemorate the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech University. Above is Derek O’Dell, President of the Virginia Tech Chess Club. He was...
The messenger – A powerful story
The Messenger Derek O’Dell of Roanoke County returned to Virginia Tech on Aug. 16 — four months after the shooting. The bullet wound in his right arm is healed. Other wounds run deeper. By Matt Chittum The voice leapt...
Derek O’Dell
Derek O’Dell of Virginia Tech received a Life Membership from the USCF and $1,000 scholarship from the Susan Polgar Foundation. In addition, $250 in chess books and equipment were donated to the Virginia Tech Chess Club. https://chessdailynews.com/students-write-book-about-the-tragedy/https://chessdailynews.com/a-heroic-tale/ Chess Daily...
Students write book about the tragedy
This is Derek O’Dell, President of the VT Chess Club Students Write First Book on MassacreABC NewsPosted: 2007-07-20 23:21:06Filed Under: Nation(July 20) – If journalism is the first draft of history, the student journalists of Virginia Tech are about...
A heroic tale
This picture and story were sent to me by Mr. Roger O’Dell, father of Derek. It is also published on uschess.org. When reading this article, I could not hold back my tears. I cannot even fathom what went through...
Surviving tale from Virginia Tech
Here are just a few of the countless links about Derek O’Dell, President of the Virginia Tech Chess Club. He was in the German Class at the time of shooting. Thankfully, he survived the tragic ordeal. NewsweekRoanoke Times America...
Searching for Derek O’Dell
I just found out about the story (https://chessdailynews.com/a-survivor-from-virginia-tech/ and https://chessdailynews.com/hero-emerged-from-a-tragedy/) of Derek O’Dell, President of the Virginia Tech Chess Club. I am very touched by what I have read. On behalf of the Susan Polgar Foundation, I would like...