(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Taking things for granted.

Try as one might, only a minuscule percentage of people truly live each day like it's their last.

The magnificence of the dawn's first light, the laughter of children playing or any number of simple pleasures never gets by the acknowledgement of those precious few individuals.

Unfortunately, for many of us without such a daily, zen-like, appreciative outlook on life, tragedies like the one which took place on the campus of the University of Connecticut over the weekend, serve as a jolt to our psyche.

Our existence, time on Earth, and things we deem important, get put in a new perspective.

As a fan of sports, especially on the collegiate level, it's easy to judge the coaches and players from afar, strictly on the successes or failures they achieve on the field of play.

The important aspects, such as the coach trying to mentor their athletes for success off the field, after sports, or the camaraderie of the players which can develop into a brotherhood, or family, outside of the lines, as well as between them get forgotten quite easily.

The senseless death of UConn football player Jasper Howard Saturday night brought back the remembrance of those roles of athlete and coach and the impact they make on one another off the field.

The press conference on Sunday, in which coach Randy Edsall detailed the events after Howard's fatal stabbing, was one that no coach should ever have to deal with.

From receiving the phone call from police and identifying Howard's body at St. Francis hospital later on, to calling Howard's family with the horrible news.

Edsall addressed his team early on Sunday morning, to deliver the horrible news.

Edsall also brought to light the fact that Howard was to be a father.

One of UConn's team captains, Desi Cullen also spoke to the press, with Edsall at his side.

Cullen fought through his emotions, speaking with courage about the loss of his teammate and the pain which he felt for Howard's family and unborn child.

While Cullen spoke what may possibly have been the hardest words of his life, Edsall's  hand stayed on his player's shoulders like a father comforting his son.

Monday, things didn't get any easier for the coach. During the weekly Big East conference's coaches tele-conference call, Edsall revealed two of Howard's teammates were with Howard after he was stabbed.

One cradled Howard's body in his arms as the other pressed hard against his wound, waiting for EMT's to arrive.

Edsall said he would leave the decision of playing in this Saturday's game to the two traumatized and unnamed players.

Also Monday, Edsall was to pick up Howard's mother and other family from the airport.

Just to try to deal with the senselessness of this tragedy is one thing, but for all that Edsall has done and still has yet to do is beyond description.

In his own heart and mind, to try and put this behind him will be hard enough, but he now must aid in helping his players and staff deal with the incident, all while getting them prepared to play a football game in six days.

The memory of Jasper Howard may never be forgotten by those who knew him or even just watched him play.

The way that coach Randy Edsall has handled this catastrophic event, is a testimony to his dedication and merit as a coach, mentor and molder of young men.

At least in the state of Connecticut, that will not be forgotten for a long time either.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?