The Virginia Tech massacre in which a gunman killed 33 students and faculty on Monday hit close to home for Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Piniella's son, Derek, played three seasons (1998-2000) for the footbal team and coach Frank Beamer as a linebacker and special teams player. He was on the Hokies team that lost to Florida State for the national championship in the Sugar Bowl in 2000.

''Beamer is a good man, good coach,'' Piniella told the Sun-Times. ''Derek really enjoyed the experience and the school. That tragedy [Monday], it breaks your heart. It's a wonderful campus, and they've got a great administration over there.

''Boy, that's something that tears you apart when you hear about that situation.''

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