Tarleton State football player dies

Here is the official release from the university:

Tarleton football student-athlete passes away
   
STEPHENVILLE – Zach Shaver, 18, a football player at Tarleton State University, passed away Monday morning at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital-Fort Worth after a head injury suffered Saturday during a spring practice.

Shaver, a redshirt freshman from Wichita Falls (Rider High School) who joined the football team last fall as a defensive lineman, was airlifted to the Metroplex hospital from Tarleton’s Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Shaver was involved in a routine football play when the freshman fell to the ground.  

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this young student-athlete,” said Tarleton athletics director Lonn Reisman. “This is a tragic loss for the Shaver family and my heart goes out to them. I am thankful for our athletic training staff, the emergency medical teams and the hospital staff for their professional response.”

“It is always difficult to lose one of our Tarleton family members, especially when they are so young,” said Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio. “Counselors will be on hand to respond to any needs. Lisette and I will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

When Tarleton head coach Cary Fowler was the defensive coordinator at Midwestern State, the Shaver family lived close to the Fowlers.

“Zach was a great young man, and I enjoyed watching him grow up over the years,” Fowler said. “This is a very difficult time for the Shaver family and the Texan football family. Zach was a great person and teammate, and he was a pleasure to coach. We ask that everyone pray for his friends and family to help them through this difficult situation.”

Shaver is survived by his parents, Robbie and Jennifer, and a sister, Emily.

Arrangements for funeral services are pending.

Comments

[Angie Dunaway]

I cry as I ready about this young man. My son is also a freshman at Tarleton and also started out playing football, but had to quit because of early classes. I mourn for him and his family during this horrible time. I worry that football helmets are not as strong as we seem to think they are. Too many young men have died from playing football...? Should this sport be continued? How did this happen with a helmet on? Sick in Arlington, TX.

[Terry Henrie]

I know Zack would certainly certainly want it to continue. While I did not know him well, I knew his passion for the game and his knowledge that he was good at it.

Please Lord, send your Holy Spirit as the Great Comforter and wrap your sweet arms around this family.