A 19-year-old sophomore football player has died after he complained of not feeling well before practice on Monday night and collapsed, according to Stetson University President Dr. Wendy B. Libby.
- Nicholas Adam Blakely was from Lawrenceville, Ga.
- Counselors on hand for students, says university president
On Monday night, Nicholas Adam Blakely was on the sidelines before practice began when he complained of not feeling well and fell over, Libby stated. She did not confirm in her press release if Blakely died on the field or in the ambulance when he was being transported to Florida Hospital DeLand.
Blakely, a Lawrenceville, Ga., native who was studying accounting, was a member of the Stetson University football team the Hatters. The university is located in DeLand.
His parents were notified and Hatters' coach Roger Hughes told the team, Libby wrote, who added that counselors have been on hand at the athletic training center for the football team.
Stetson students and faculty gathered Tuesday to mourn Blakely and talk about him. (Brittany Jones, Staff)
"He's exactly the spirit and the competitor that make players great and I think he had the ability to affect our other players to make them great as well," said Coach Roger Hughes.
On Tuesday, students and faculty gathered in Allen Hall to remember Blakely.
"It hurts to lose him, but coach said we'll keep his spirit around," said teammate Drean Long. "His spirit was one that that had a lot of energy, had a lot of fire to him."
The team is now looking for a way to carry on Blakely's number 37 forever.
People who want to speak with a counselor can call them from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 386-822-8900 or call Public Safety at 386-822-7300 to speak with the on-call counselor.