'Awful news': Basketball world in shock over devastating tragedy
The basketball world is mourning the tragic death of St Louis University men's assistant coach Ford Stuen.
He was just 29.
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Stuen had been hospitalised since early April after falling ill near the end of the 2020-21 college basketball season.
According to KSDK, Stuen had complained of stomach pains and was diagnosed with an infection and treated with antibiotics.
He was reportedly even put into a medically-induced coma at one point, but never recovered.
Stuen is survived by his wife Courtney and step-daughter Lucy.
Tragically, Courtney is pregnant with a boy due in August.
"Words cannot begin to express the pain and sorrow we are all experiencing right now," SLU athletic director Chris May said in a statement.
"Everyone associated with our program knew Ford as someone who was fully invested in working for the betterment of our student-athletes.
"His passion, positivity, and amazing outlook on life are things we will all take with us.
"Our hearts go out to Courtney, Lucy, and Ford's wonderful family. Please keep the Stuen family, as well as Travis Ford and the Ford family, in your thoughts and prayers."
Always on our mind. Forever in our hearts. https://t.co/XtgvmoDCFm
— Saint Louis MBB (@SaintLouisMBB) May 12, 2021
Basketball world in shock over devastating tragedy
Stuen recently completed his second season as assistant coach for the Billikens.
He had served as the team’s director of player development for three seasons before he was promoted to assistant coach in 2019.
SLU said in his bio that he primarily worked with the team’s guards on the court and was heavily involved in scouting and statistical analysis.
He was named one of the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ 30 under 30 in 2020.
Stuen is the nephew of St Louis head coach Travis Ford.
He played for Ford while Ford was the coach at Oklahoma State.
St Louis was 14-7 in 2020-21 after going 23-8 in 2019-20.
Absolutely awful news. Saint Louis assistant coach Ford Stuen has passed away at the age of 29. Billikens head coach Travis Ford’s nephew. https://t.co/uIgqTTcYPw
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 11, 2021
We were devastated to learn the news of Ford Stuen's passing, and we're sending our love to the Stuen and Ford families today.
🔗 https://t.co/42c7PqctvT#NewEra I #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/p8laGgmb34— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) May 12, 2021
Very sad. 🙏
— John Morgan (@johnrmstl) May 11, 2021
Terrible news. 🙏🙏
— bcliffstl (@bcliffstl) May 11, 2021
Very shocking and sad. RIP
— Steve (@waldo027) May 11, 2021
Very sad to read this. Way too young. Condolences to his family & friends.
— Brian Jeffrey (@brian24337244) May 12, 2021
My deepest condolences to the entire Ford family and to all the members of SLU Basketball. 🙏
— Coach Mike Potsou (@Whitfieldhoops) May 12, 2021
With Nick Bromberg - Yahoo Sports
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