By Pete Pelegrin

Alex Bostic wasn't sure where to go Monday evening. Bostic had been here before but now the building was new to him. During his time as an FIU linebacker (2003-06), Bostic roamed the old FIU fieldhouse and knew exactly where everything was. The locker room was in the middle, meeting rooms divided by partitions were near the entrance, and the training area was at the rear in the one-floor building. The FIU coaches offices were in a portable trailer outside the fieldhouse.

However, now inside the current FIU fieldhouse on the first floor Bostic was at a loss as he was searching for a meeting room where the current Panthers linebackers might be. Bostic, who now resides in Atlanta, was in town for a funeral. But before Bostic went back home to Georgia he decided to visit his alma mater and possibly speak with the FIU linebackers.

As Bostic walked outside the FIU locker room he encountered a group of players hanging around by the athletic training room and as fate would have it the players gathered there were the FIU linebackers.

"I had read the article on FIUSports.com previewing the linebackers and I wanted to meet them and talk with them before the season started," Bostic said. "It just so happened that the linebackers were sitting outside the locker room."

Initially, it was just the FIU linebackers that met and listened to Bostic, but the number of Panthers to join in on Bostic's talk grew as he spoke. FIU defensive linemen, defensive backs, receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen all were drawn to Bostic.

With Bostic having last played at FIU almost 10 years ago many of the current Panthers didn't know who was addressing them at first, but they hung on to Bostic's every word when they learned he was a former FIU football player.

In the middle of Bostic's speech, a visitor in the fieldhouse interrupted Bostic and informed the Panthers who exactly was speaking to them. 

Bostic, out of Miami Norland High, was part of the 2006 Killer B's FIU defense that led the nation in tackles for loss with 98 despite the Panthers going 0-12. FIU was winless that season in part because it lost 18 players (11 starters) to suspension after the brawl against Miami in the seventh game of the season. Bostic was not one of the suspended players.



That FIU defense finished No. 28 in the nation in total defense (highest ever by an FIU defense in the program's 13-year history) and it was anchored by linebackers Bostic, Antwan Barnes and Keyonvis Bouie (left to right above) -- the Killer B's. In the FIU record book, the three players that hold the top three spots for the record for tackles for loss in a season are Barnes (22.5), Bostic (19) and Bouie (18). The trio set those records in 2006.

"I didn't know who he was when he started talking to us," said linebacker Jordan Guest of Bostic. "It was pretty special for a former FIU player to come back and talk to us about his experiences at FIU and outside in the real world after college. He was truly inspiring and a great motivational speaker."

Since his football career ended after a stint in the Arena Football League with the Sioux Falls Storm and a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons, Bostic has stayed busy in Atlanta with several businesses. He is part owner of a trucking company, manages security personnel that has protected former Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner and current Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Bostic also sells sports apparel and is an assistant pastor at The Way of Yah Synagogue of Yahusha.

Bostic, like many FIU football alumni, has been wanting to re-connect with the FIU football program that they built. Former FIU coach Mario Cristobal started an alumni breakfast in 2010 to welcome back alums. FIU coach Ron Turner has welcomed back FIU football alumni, including honoring them at the 2014 spring game.
 
"I met with coach Turner three months ago," Bostic said. "He walked me around the facility and introduced me to the new coaches. He asked me to come to a game and come to practice. I also wanted to meet the linebackers."



Bostic did and gave a rousing speech. He educated the current Panthers on the history of FIU football and planning for life after football.

"We had a great talk and I gave them all my phone number," Bostic said. "I told them there are lessons to learn in losing and believe me, I learned plenty during that 0-12 season. I told them to be ready for life after FIU. There is no more free treatment when you are hurt, no more Panther Card. You have to grow up quickly. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself with yourself degree."

Bostic was headed back home to Atlanta Tuesday morning, but not before making a lasting impression where he once was a burgeoning Panther trying to find his way.

"Alex emphasized to make sure you keep your name clean and finish your degree," Guest said. "He said you have to be ready for the day when you can't play football anymore. You have to use your time wisely at FIU and prepare yourself for a life outside of football. What he and the past FIU players did to start this program is a blessing to us all and we're grateful. I was glad to get the chance to meet him and talk to him. I'm glad he found us when he showed up here."