Update: WSU issues statement on Beekman passing
Washington State rising redshirt senior DB Bryce Beekman died Tuesday night, the Pullman police confirmed to multiple media outlets.
Wednesday morning, the university issued a statement:
"Yesterday, Washington State University learned of the passing of WSU football student-athlete Bryce Beekman, a 22-year old rising-senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“We are in shock with the news of Bryce’s passing,” said WSU Director of Athletics Pat Chun. “Bryce was a tremendous young man, great teammate and will be missed by all. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to the Beekman family and his many friends.”
“My relationship with Bryce was still in its early stages, but I knew him to be a wonderful young man,” said WSU Head Coach Nick Rolovich, who informed the team of the news Tuesday night. “He was always positive and well respected amongst his teammates. My heart goes out to his family and friends.”
All WSU students needing immediate assistance can contact the 24/7 WSU Crisis Line at 509-335-2159. Staff and faculty can receive assistance at the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) State toll-free number at 1-877-313-4455.”
Per the Spokesman-Review, police responded to a 5:44 p.m. call from an apartment that belonged to Beekman. The call was listed in the police activity log as “breathing problems” and Beekman was already dead when police arrived, police said.
The cause of death has yet to be revealed. There were no signs of foul play, police said.
Beekman was the team’s fifth-leading tackler in 2019 and had 60 tackles. He started all 13 games for Washington State a season ago and was set to be a starter again in 2020.
Beekman enrolled at Washington State in January of 2019 after transferring from Arizona Western Junior College. He played the first three years of his high school career in Milwaukee before playing his senior season in Baton Rouge.
Per Washington State’s website, Beekman wore No. 26 with the Cougars in honor of former NFL All-Pro safety Sean Taylor.
As of early Wednesday morning, no Wazzu official has commented publicly on Beekman’s passing. The safety’s teammates, though, took to Twitter early Wednesday morning to share their thoughts.
New Washington State coach Nick Rolovich had a conference call with reporters on Tuesday and said that he thought a majority of his team’s players were not in Pullman. Classes are on-line only at Washington State because of the coronavirus outbreak and spring practice has been indefinitely put on hold.
