The Oregon St. Beavers have confirmed the worst: Fred Thompson has passed away from a heart attack. Thompson suffered the heart attack while playing basketball at the Dixon Recreation Center. He collapsed while playing and was rushed to the Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Thompson would have been 20 years old this weekend.
Here is more from the official press release.
Thompson was a true freshman defensive tackle from Richmond, Calif. He was 19-years-old.
Department of Athletics’ officials say the OSU community sends its thoughts and prayers to Fred’s family.
OSU head football coach Mike Riley was off-campus recruiting and is en route to Corvallis.
Oregon State will hold a press conference in the Gill Coliseum media room at a to-be-announced time Thursday. There will be no media availability Wednesday night.
To discuss the Thompson tragedy and offer your condolences to Oregon State fans, head to Building the Dam.