The Vanderbilt Commodores are getting ready to go after a national championship on the baseball diamond, but they will be doing so with very heavy hearts. 19-year-old sophomore pitcher Donny Everett tragically drowned in a lake late Thursday night.
The Tennessean reported that head coach Tim Corbin met with his players Friday morning to tell them about the horrific news. Everett reportedly tried to swim across a lake and began struggling and his teammates with him believed he was “just joking around.”
The Commodores were scheduled to open up NCAA Regional play tonight against the Xavier Musketeers. That games is still reportedly on, but the team will learn the status of the game later on today.
This is the second Vanderbilt student-athlete to die in a drowning accident over the last year after former basketball player Dai-Jon Parker tragically drowned in an Indianapolis lake in May of last year.
Some players took to Twitter to express their grief and shock at the loss of Donny Everett.
Still can't believe this happened… Probably one of the better guys on and off the field that I've ever met. Rest in peace, Donny Everett.
— alex brewer (@alex_brewer09) June 3, 2016
Rest in peace former outlaw @Donny_Everett_9 . Gone way to soon… Prayers to his family and @VandyBaseball. #heartbroken
— Hit after Hit Outlaws (@HaHOutlawsBB) June 3, 2016
Rest in peace Donny Everett. Gone way to soon and had way to much ahead.. I will miss you my friend.. Can't even believe this happened..
— Bryce Denton (@brycedenton25) June 3, 2016
Dude was the truth man. We didn't really know each other but you left way too early….. RIP ⚾️@Donny_Everett_9
— Connor Bean Bryant (@CElijahW7) June 3, 2016
This cannot be an easy situation for anyone to have to deal with. Campus Sports would like to send their condolences to the Everett family, the Commodores, and the entire Vanderbilt community.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
