Exclusive – The sports world has lost a young student-athlete.
Tufts University Lacrosse player, Madie Nicpon, died at 20 during a Hot dog eating contest on October 17 – Her sports trainer called her “a true light for the Tufts campus community and a friend to all.”
On Sunday, Oct. 17, Madie Nicpon departed this world in an unexpected incident. She was 20 years old. As per the reports received Nicpon last attended a fundraising event held in Somerville, Mass, on Oct. 7. The event was organized off the campus at a private property.
The death of the Lacrosse player occurred due to choking on a hot dog during the eating contest – told authorities to Rockland/Westchester Journal News.
In a message to the community, Tuft University wrote, “After first responders performed life-saving procedures on-site, Madie was transported to Mt. Auburn Hospital and subsequently transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she passed away on Sunday afternoon,”
On Oct. 17, the university’s daily newspaper revealed that University Chaplaincy organized an event supporting the deceased and her family at the Gantcher Center and around 3000 members attended the event, including staff, faculty, and students. They were provided with candles to place near Nicpon’s jersey – says the publications that cited the news.
Who was Nicpon?
According to the university’s newspaper, Nicpon was enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences and was studying biopsychology as her major course. Apart from being the Tuft University’s lacrosse team member, she worked with the university’s team IMPACT and Green Dot program voluntarily. Her friends used to call her “Scooter,” – says the university’s athletic website.
Nicpon was from Suffern, New York. She was a daughter to Chris Nicpon and Kathy and a sibling to Mikey Nicpon and Brian. The family established a GoFundMe page on the web to cover the funeral expenses for Nicpon. The page says, “Madie Nicpon was a beautiful and brilliant daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend. Her contagious smile and laughter lit up every room. Her generosity and kindness have left a lasting impact on those around her.”
Courtney Shute, Nicpon’s team coach, stated to the university’s sports website, “She was a true light for the Tufts campus community who was genuinely a friend to all,” and added, “Madie made time for everyone and cared deeply for people. Her personality was larger than life and brought a constant smile to those around her.”
The Tuft University’s sports team paid tribute to the late athlete in a post on Instagram, that says, “We are beyond heartbroken to share the news of the passing of junior Madie Nicpon—’Scooter,’”
It further reads, “Scooter was a true friend and teammate. She truly valued her relationships with her teammates and coaches. Her reach was far beyond our team—she was a true connector on campus and touched every single person she met. She has and will continue to inspire us every day. We should all strive to live life a little bit more like Scooter did—a person that valued love, loyalty, compassion, and friendship.”
