Guy jumps to his death from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

[Point of Order]

Guy's name is on some sites out there but I don't see any reason for that. I've never heard of anyone offing themselves at a college stadium before. Kinda surprised it doesn't happen more, especially in season. Anyway, here's the link.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120415/ARTICLES/120419720/1109/sports?Title=Police-investigate-death-outside-stadium

 

[Thomas Goldkamp]

Between Dwayne Schintzius passing away earlier today and this news tonight, kind of a weird feeling in Gainesville right now. I walked around town for a few minutes this evening and it just feels different right now. I know a handful of people that knew this guy, so it hits kind of close to home.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

The student, who was studying journalism, was pronounced dead at the scene, UF Police Department Major Brad Barber said

That explains it.

 

[hondo]

You mean Tebow hasn't raised him from the dead yet?

 

[Armchair_QB]

Between Dwayne Schintzius passing away earlier today and this news tonight, kind of a weird feeling in Gainesville right now. I walked around town for a few minutes this evening and it just feels different right now. I know a handful of people that knew this guy, so it hits kind of close to home.

Holy ****! Really?

Edit: Dead at 43 from respiratory failure. Had no idea he was battling leukemia

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7817857/dwayne-schintzius-dead-age-43

I'll let others decide if that's worthy of an RIP thread.

 

[dixiehack]

Dwayne Schintzius died? God must have needed a doubles partner.

 

[playthrough]

Holy ****. ****. My wife is an adjunct journalism professor at UF and taught this kid last semester. Said he was bipolar.

 

[BYH]

You mean Tebow hasn't raised him from the dead yet?

Let's all have a laugh about a kid who just committed suicide!

This is low and classless even by your subterranean standards.

 

[Thomas Goldkamp]

Holy ****. ****. My wife is an adjunct journalism professor at UF and taught this kid last semester. Said he was bipolar.

There's a lot to the story it seems. Whoever made the remark about journalism wasn't all that far off, apparently. Troubling after looking into it, to say the least. The last comment on the guy's Facebook was something to the effect of "don't be so hard on yourself." He had gotten a DUI about a day before.

Also, where the guy fell from was within about 30 yards of where all kinds of campus groups gather to do drills, dances and all kinds of other activities. Apparently there was a group there when it happened. I can imagine that would be a pretty rattling experience for all of them.

As far as Schintzius goes, he had been battling it for a couple years. He returned to the O'Connell Center for the first time since playing in 2011 for the Georgia game. The fans gave him a really, really nice standing ovation when they introduced him over the PA. He may have been back once or twice since then, but I distinctly remember when they announced him.

Here's more from that night on him: Dwayne Schintzius returns to the O'Dome

 

[Thomas Goldkamp]

Holy ****. ****. My wife is an adjunct journalism professor at UF and taught this kid last semester. Said he was bipolar.

Out of curiosity, what division does she teach? Journalism, broadcast, advertising or PR? Totally understand if you're not comfortable answering. Decent chance she taught me. PM me if you want.

 

[playthrough]

Check your PM, Thomas.

 

[Editude]

The stadium is almost always open, so I'm surprised more incidents don't occur. The student was 26, so he was still trying to figure out his life at a later age than many.

 

[maumann]

Totally coincidental: Before Weimer Hall was built, the UF journalism/broadcasting department was located on two of the four floors underneath the west side of Florida Field, sharing space with the athletic department.

Spent most of my waking hours on the fourth floor at the WRUF studios, then slept during Mickie Edwardson's lectures. Also got my share of parking lot violations when I had to do morning drive -- since there was a dirt lot where they were building the O'Connell Center across the street from the elevator and it was tempting at 5 a.m.