Austin Madubuike, a 21-year-old junior soccer player at Newman University, died unexpectedly on Monday, October 24. His passing was reported by Newman University.
Details surrounding Madubuike’s death are scarce, but according to his coach, Brown, the event took place about three hours into a journey home to Wichita from a game in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Madubuike was taken to an ICU in a Fort Smith hospital but passed away eight days later.
Brown described Madubuike as a “hard worker” and “one of the most talented young men he’d ever had the pleasure to work with.” Madubuike’s teammates have also shared their grief on social media, remembering him as a “wonderful young man” with a “heart of gold.”
The cause of Madubuike’s death is still unknown, but his passing has impacted the Newman community deeply. A vigil will be held on campus tonight in honor of Madubuike, and the university has set up a fund to help cover the costs of his funeral.