JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two employees in the athletic department at Edward Waters College died this week. One was a coach who died during football practice.
It was a somber week for students and staff because they started the week normally, but by the end of it they had lost two prominent staff members in the athletic department -- both to heart attacks.
Tuesday the head of photography, Eric Johnson, was found dead in his home after suffering a heart attack.
Colleagues like Stanley Cromartie said he was known as Mr. Edwardian.
TRENDING:
- Rolling Stones concert in Jacksonville postponed
- JSO investigates after graphic photos surfaced of baby with badly burned, blistered foot
- Employee caught on camera handling food outside; restaurant owner says it's a misunderstanding
- Son of JSO recruit who died after training: ‘He was everything to me’
STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories
“He was a student, then he became an employee, then the national alumni president,” Cromartie said.
As soon as you set foot inside the athletic department you can see his work on every wall.
The next day, after receiving that bad news, students like Tyquan Cooper said their football team’s offensive line coach, Glen Chapman, suffered a medical emergency on the field.
"I saw him leaning on the gate so I went to go and see what was wrong with him. I was just talking to him the whole time telling him to breathe and be calm and trying to calm him down,” Cooper said.
Cooper said Chapman thought he was having an asthma attack so he asked for his inhaler. When that didn’t work they called an ambulance. He too later died of a heart attack.
“Yeah, I broke down and cried. He meant a lot to this team and this organization and we love him,” Cooper said.
Cooper said he not only lost a coach but a huge supporter on and off the field.
"He helps me with my math work because he was actually a math teacher, so he helped me with my math work when I was struggling in math -- anything he was there," Cooper said.
Friday students and staff gathered to host a vigil to honor both of the men.
They said although the situation has left many people saddened, they hope this will help strengthen the relationships between the rest of the team and their former colleagues.
Cox Media Group
