Lynn University Student Dies After Bridge Fall
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - He was a positive person, a role model for everybody. People just keep saying they were so inspired by Kyle. That's what makes you feel so good
The last thing you can imagine happening is (something to) Kyle because Kyle just does everything right
This was a 21-year-old that's never been sick in his life. He's an athlete. He's a sharp kid. Those organs, there's lots of people that are going to benefit
Tragedy has struck again for Lynn University. Early Saturday, one of the university's star soccer players was killed, a second soccer player injured when they fell off a bridge in Ft. Lauderdale.
It happened around 2:30 a.m. on a railroad bridge which crosses over the New River at the Las Olas Riverfront entertainment complex
Ft. Lauderdale police have not said what the two students were doing on the bridge. When rescue workers arrived they found 21-year old Joe Cundall hanging from one of the bridge's trestles. He was taken to Broward General Medical Center where he was treated and released.
Police searched the water and found the unconscious body of 21-year old Kyle Conrad about ten minutes later. He was rushed to Broward General but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful; he was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon.
"People loved Kyle. He just warmed people. He was a leader," said Bill Mang, his grandfather. He was a positive person, a role model for everybody. People just keep saying they were so inspired by Kyle. That's what makes you feel so good."
"We are shocked and sadened by the loss of Kyle Conrad today. Kyle was one of the finest examples of a true scholar-athlete as I have had the honor of working with in my 23 years of coaching. He was loved and respected by his teammates. We were blessed to have Kyle in our lives," said Head Soccer Coach John Rootes in a written statement.
Conrad, a senior from Jensen Beach studying sports management, was named the Palm Beach Post's boys soccer Player of the Year in 2007. He graduated high school with a 3.59 GPA and attended Lynn University on a soccer scholarship. He became the first student-athlete at Lynn, for any sport, to earn ESPN First Team Academic All-District accolades three times. He was also recognized as a three-time All-South Region and two-time All-SSC pick. During his time in Boca, he helped lead the Blue & White to three NCAA Tournament appearances and three Sunshine State Conference titles.
"Kyle represented the best of Lynn. He was an excellent student, wonderful teammate and just a great person. I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of such a promising young man, and my condolences go out to his family," Lynn University President Kevin M. Ross said in a statement.
Conrad is survived by his parents, Mary Ann and Sherman, and his sisters Kristen and Kayla.
Born in England, Cundall has also an outstanding player for Lynn University and started all 19 games for the Fighting Knights his junior year
Last January, four Lynn University students and two faculty members were killed when an earthquake struck Haiti. The students and faculty were in Port au Prince on a humanitarian mission.
