Blue Devils Mourn the Loss of Student-Athlete Rich Royster

JEFF JACOB'S COLUMN FROM MONDAY, Jan. 24

Central Connecticut State University student-athlete Rich Royster died early Saturday morning in a car accident on the Charter Oak Bridge south of Hartford. Royster, from Ossining, NY was a junior defensive lineman for the Blue Devils.

The following is an official statement issued by CCSU:

It's with a heavy heart that I must report that two CCSU students, Brittany Mariani and Rich Royster, have died as a result of a car accident on Saturday, January 22, at approximately 4:45 am. We are still gathering details, but I can report that Rich was a junior psychology major and a defensive lineman for the Blue Devils, and that Brittany was a senior psychology major.

Counselors will be available beginning on this evening (Saturday) and throughout the week. Counselors will be available today from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm in Kaiser Hall, lower level, and then on Sunday (January 23) from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, also in Kaiser Hall, lower level.

Plans for a memorial are underway. Details will be announced as soon as they are established.

I'm sure I speak for the entire campus in saying that we are deeply saddened by this terrible loss of promising young lives and we extend our warmest sympathies to Brittany's and Rich's families.

Mark Warren McLaughlin, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President
Marketing & Communications

The following is a statement from Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann:

We extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the families and loved ones of Brittany and Rich. It is a terrible tragedy to have lost two such bright and vibrant people so abruptly. At extraordinary times like these, it is critical for us to support each other as a family and as a campus community. We will do just that.

The following is a statement from Head Football Coach Jeff McInerney:

We lost a member of our family today and it hurts. Rich was a fantastic teammate and a loyal Blue Devil. His love for the game and his love for his teammates were second to none. He will be missed, but his spirit and character will live on in our football program, and his memory will be honored each and every day.