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UAPB BASEBALL PLAYER KILLED IN WEEKEND ACCIDENT

By Josh Tinker and Ray King /OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Monday, November 30, 2009 11:23 PM CST

CALUMET PARK, Ill. — Kevin Edwards, 19, a University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball player, was killed in a vehicle accident Sunday on Interstate 57 at Calumet Park, Ill., according to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times.

According to an Illinois State Police District Chicago trooper, Edwards, a sophomore from Matteson, Ill., was driving a 2004 Nissan south on Interstate 57 when he attempted to change lanes and crashed. The Nissan spun out, hit a guardrail on the left side of the interstate then rolled in the right lane, partially ejecting Edwards, according to the Sun-Times.

State Police District Chicago are investigating and would not comment on the wreck because an on-going investigation is in progress.

Family members said Edwards was attending Arkansas-Pine Bluff on an athletic scholarship. Edwards was preparing to return to school the morning of the crash, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The accident was reported at 11:40 p.m. Saturday. Edwards was pronounced dead at 12:07 a.m. Sunday, the Tribune said.

“Kevin Edwards was a model student and a talented athlete who was progressing toward a bright future,” said UAPB Chancellor Dr. Lawrence A. Davis Jr. “The university and I are deeply saddened by his transition.”

Golden Lions’ coach Michael Bumpers said he was notified of the fatality about 2 a.m. Sunday morning, less than 48 hours after the coach last spoke to his player.

“Everyone is just in shock right now,” Bumpers said. “We never thought this would have happened. That’s the reality of it.”

Edwards is remembered by his coach as a generous person, who often gave of himself. Bumpers said each member of his squad is required to do community service, and that Edwards would often donate more of his time than what was required by the team.

“You can never prepare for this,” Bumpers said. “I can’t explain the shock we’re in. He was such a good kid. I never would have thought this would have happened to him.”

Now, the Golden Lions have to replace not only a friend, but a teammate as well. As a true freshman last season, Edwards, a left-handed pitcher, saw action in 18 contests, starting five. His 30 innings pitched was fifth on the team, and he finished last season with an earned run average of 10.27.

Bumpers expected the Illinois native to play an even larger role this season, adding that Edwards would have competed for a spot in UAPB’s weekend rotation.

Instead, UAPB is trying to adjust to life without its teammate.

“We are deeply saddened with the news of Kevin Edwards’ passing,” said Skip Perkins, UAPB athletic director. “Our thoughts and prayers are going out to Kevin Edwards’ family...I had a chance to talk to some of the players and they are a tough, tight group, and they took that very hard.”

Duer Sharp, commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, said his thoughts and prayers are with the family.

“The Southwestern Athletic Conference would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Kevin’s family,” Sharp said.

Edwards’ funeral arrangements are pending. Visit the UAPB Athletics Website www.uapblionsroar.com/news for details, a spokesman said.

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