July 13, 2005

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Aaron O'Neal, a redshirt freshman at the University of Missouri-Columbia and a member of the MU football team, died on July 12, 2005.

"I am deeply saddened by the death of Aaron O'Neal. I understand that not only was he an outstanding young athlete with a promising future, but also that he was a young man of the highest caliber in every aspect of his life, and I'm very proud that he was one of our students," Chancellor Brady Deaton said. "On behalf of the entire University family, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Aaron's family and to his teammates who have suffered a great loss. The University community stands ready to help in any and every way possible to assist Aaron's family and his teammates during this very sad time."

"I can't begin to express how deeply saddened we are by this loss," said Gary Pinkel, MU head football coach. "Aaron was a quality young man who was well-liked and respected by his teammates and coaches. We are all very shocked and hurt right now, but the most important thing we can do is to focus on Aaron's family and to assist them any way we can. I ask that people respect the private nature of this tragedy right now, as we all do what we can to be there for everyone affected by this loss."

O'Neal was participating in a voluntary summer conditioning workout at Faurot Field shortly before he died. Pat Ivey, head strength and conditioning coach, directed the workout along with seven other members of the MU athletic training and conditioning staff. The workout included agility drills and general conditioning drills such as sprinting and running.

According to NCAA regulations, sports medicine staff must be present during all non-mandatory conditioning activities conducted by strength and conditioning staff members. All MU trainers, three of whom were attendance at Wednesday's workouts, and strength coaches are certified in CPR.

O'Neal completed the workout and returned to the gameday locker room, where he became uncommunicative. The training staff assisted him and called 911. He was pronounced dead at University Hospital.

"It's hard right now to find the words that communicate the heartache that everyone in the Missouri family is feeling," said Mike Alden, MU athletic director. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Aaron's family and his teammates, who are all dealing with something that is really hard to understand."