Oh My God!! Big Steve has passed away!

[lhsgolf19]

Noooooo!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFULqlVs...alebswanigan50

Matt Schwade confirmed it

[lhsgolf19]

Matthew Schwade ‏@FlyerHoops · 2m2 minutes ago

RIP, BIG STEVE. I'll never forget your giant smile that matched your giant stature. Prayers to his family & friends

[dnutz77]

Just read this in Twitter. Man I am in shock. This is how I felt when I heard about Chris Daniels. Absolutely heartbroken.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Columbia Blue]

Twitter search ... will await for official announcement. Regardless of circumstances, heart goes out to team and family. Wow ...

https://twitter.com/search?q=steve%20mcelvene&src=typd

[224]

wow....I'm at a loss of words

[hessbz12]

If this is true, wow, I don't know what to say. I'm in shock.

[C-time]

This is just awful and heartbreaking. I feel just like when Chris Daniels passed. I just can't believe it.

[Angry John]

I am stunned. My heart and prayers go out to his family, friends and teammates. So sad.

[cj]

WOW. This is terrible.

[priceg75]

A bright future cut so short. A devastating loss, I don't know what to say. I hope his family can find some comfort in the Flyer community who embraced him.

[lhsgolf19]

Glenn Marini ‎‎@GMariniWANE15

Can confirm Steve McElevene passed away this afternoon at his family's home after collapsing. Enlarged heart is believe to be the cause.

[TA111]

I am so sorry for his family. What a very nice young man he was. Always with a smile on his face. I can't believe we have had now two players (Chris Daniels) with this condition.

[Medford]

WOW. RIP big fella. He had come so far in just a couple of years w/ NBA potential. Such a shame.

[Buster Goode]

I can't believe this. I just can't. He was a fan favorite. Unreal
Posted via Mobile Device

[longtimefan67]

Will always remember him as a young man who really committed himself to the University and did all that was asked of him. Was a true fan favorite and team player. Tragically lost at such a young age. Heartbroken for his family and teammates.

[cj]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/...dies-at/nrL5D/

From DDN

[CE80]

I haven't posted in 2 months. Needed a break. Everything seemed so trivial. Until this....so sad.

[Justin]

http://www.whio.com/news/sports/coll...ef=cbTopWidget

[Tony T 71]

Prayers for his family. It sounds similar to when Hank Gathers of Loyola Marymount died. I think it's called Marfans Syndrome. How sad...

[Justin]

I can confirm that commitment. Many days I saw him in the LTC (Learning Teaching Center) on campus getting tutoring. One time at 9am after a late away game. I can imagine what his family is going through, my thoughts are with them.

Originally Posted by longtimefan67 Will always remember him as a young man who really committed himself to the University and did all that was asked of him. Was a true fan favorite and team player. Tragically lost at such a young age. Heartbroken for his family and teammates.

[Jeff]

What a bummer, young man, bright future.

[hessbz12]

He always looked so happy playing the game. Would get so excited when he made a big play. Had so much potential. So sad.

[dUDe]

Heartbroken today. This kid had transformed himself into a true pro prospect in just one year. He will be missed.

[dnutz77]

Man. I'm speechless. This is absolutely gut wrenching.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sticks 'n Stearns]

I am shaking - in disbelief! Rest in peace Big Steve.

[cj]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/galle...gCbbH/#8864288

This photo album is way too short.

Retire #5.

[T-Bone 84]

My cousin texted me about it 15 minutes ago, so I came to the board to see if it was rumor or fact. Sadly, it's fact.

So sad. A very nice young man, with a very bright future ahead of him. Too eerily similar to the Chris Daniels situation, and within a few months of being exactly 20 years apart. I have a family member who knew Steve, and another who had the chance to meet Chris. So sad. I'm literally shell-shocked at the moment.

Prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates. Just such a loss for the entire community.

R.I.P., Big Steve.

[PepBand Man]

From President Dan to the UD community

Dear students, faculty and staff,

I am writing to share the sad news of the death of a member of our campus community. Steve McElvene, a second-year student and member of the men's basketball team, passed away Thursday in his hometown of New Haven, Indiana.

We have no other details about his death or funeral arrangements at this time.

We extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to his family, friends, professors, teammates, coaches and our entire campus community.

Men's basketball coach Archie Miller said: “We are devastated at this news. Any death is a tragedy, but for someone so young who worked so hard to have his dreams within reach, it’s hard to put into words how painful this is. Our hearts and prayers go out to Steve’s family. My family, our team and our staff will have to pull together, not only in support of Steve’s family, but in support of each other at this terrible time.”

Campus Ministry will be scheduling a time to gather in prayer for Steve.

Join me in praying for Steve, his family and friends. Please reach out to one another in support during this difficult time for our campus community. Please know support services are always available in person or by telephone through the counseling center, campus ministry and residence life staffs.

I wish you all of God's blessings.

Sincerely,
Daniel J. Curran, Ph.D.

[CJ43]

This teams been through so much. So sad. Appreciate life ladies and gentleman. RIP Big STEVE

[Falcon7]

Very sad, RIP Steve.

I have an enlarged heart (due to a leaky valve, and being 60 something). I thought it was routine for large young men to be screened for this, especially an athlete playing major college ball?

[426 Kiefaber]

Heartbreaking. RIP Big Steve.

[DallasFlyer]

When Chris Daniels passed, the talk was just starting about mandatory testing and detailed heart screening for athletes. And yet, here we are again so many years later. The kid from Baylor retired when he went through the NBA combine and they discovered Marfans Syndrome. Kid is incredibly lucky to be alive no thanks to his school or the NCAA. Big Steve is gone. No bringing him back, but I hope to god Dayton spends whatever money it takes to ensure the most advanced testing is being done. Maybe this was an undetectable thing, but from what I understand, it often can be prevented. This cannot keep happening.

[lhsgolf19]

David Jablonski ‏@DavidPJablonski · 4m4 minutes ago  Dayton, OH

Bucky Bockhorn: "I'm crushed. An old man like me dying, it's no big deal, but (a 20-year-old), it's not right." #RIPBigSteve

	Bucky Bockhorn ARLEN 'BUCKY' BOCKHORN Known as "The Legend", Bockhorn played basketball for Tom Blackburn in the 1950s and went on to a career in the NBA. Tabbed NBA Rookie of the Year in his first season, he also played alongside Oscar Robertson for the now-defunct Cincinnati Royals. Buckhorn has been the color man for UD basketball games for years and teams with play-by-play announcer Larry Hansgen on NewsTalk Radio 1290AM and 95.7FM.

[jpk4ud]

Prayers to his family and friends.....#ingodshands

[udstevied_D87]

I dont know what to say right now expect hoping that his family and friends stay strong.

[Sea Bass]

very sad

[CT Flyer]

Oh my god I am sick to my stomach. Such a tragedy. He seemed like such a sweet soul. Thoughts and prayers to his family and his UD family.

[IndianaFlyer]

May God bless you Steve, and may He comfort your family, loved ones, and friends at this tragic time.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Justin]

Does anyone know if there is a Go Fund Me or something for his family? I know it's early, but I am sure they are trying to figure out expenses and such.

[lhsgolf19]

All you guys need to know is Steve McElvene is trending right now on twitter... the love and thoughts for him and his family are unreal

[Sea Bass]

Archie talked a lot about the transformation that Steve made last year. Arch explained that in his first year he had a long explanation for everything when that year started but by the end of the year he quit making excuses and brought hard work everyday to practice. I could tell by listening to Archie talk about Steve how much he enjoyed coaching him. And then I think of all the hard work off the court Steve had to put in to shed the weight.

[udstevied_D87]

Originally Posted by lhsgolf19 All you guys need to know is Steve McElvene is trending right now on twitter... the love and thoughts for him and his family are unreal

Nationwide. His presence and smile was loved by everyone.

https://twitter.com/search?q=%22Stev...ne%22&src=tren

[Bucketnight]

Any time a young person dies, there is just so much potential lost. It's not just the loss of what is but what could have... should have been. Obviously, we "know" him on the court and what he did to get himself there.

But we don't know the hopes and dreams beyond basketball of a person who will never have the opportunity to chase them.

God bless.

[udstevied_D87]

[steve]

You know there were very few days I did not at some point during the day/week think of Chris Daniels as my mind wanders and that's even to the present........I know that there won't be even ONE day for a long long long long time that I won't do the same for Steve......Just makes my heart ache terribly for him and all those that care about him...
GOD BLESS !!!

[Flyer Al]

As I walked into a meeting around 1:30 a co-worker, who graduated from UD two years ago and still has lots of friends on campus, told me she had heard he had died. My thought was who would make something like that up but hoped that was the case. By the time I came out the news had been confirmed. So sad, so tragic.

[T-Bone 84]

Originally Posted by steve You know there were very few days I did not at some point during the day/week think of Chris Daniels as my mind wanders and that's even to the present........I know that there won't be even ONE day for a long long long long time that I won't do the same for Steve......Just makes my heart ache terribly for him and all those that care about him... GOD BLESS !!!

And to think, they both played the same position, for the same University, and died at about the same age, from roughly the same type of health condition, within about 3 months of exactly 20 years apart. Eerie.

But right now, prayers to his family, friends, and teammates. May God bring you into His kingdom, Steve, and may he comfort those you left behind so soon.

[Dillomernda]

Sad indeed. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I want the team to wear the number 5 on the corner of their jersey for every game next season.

[pmcmullen]

In total shock. Thoughts and prayers to his family, and I hope there's a fantastic court for him to enjoy for all eternity.

[MNFats]

I literally gasped out loud when I saw this news. The sky was the limit for him and he was working his butt off to make it happen.

Give your kids an extra hug tonight. Life is short.

[Mich Flyer]

Very sad. He had such great potential.

[Muskeagle]

From an X fan....terribly sorry for the loss for your school, for your program and for the young man's family. Terrible, terrible news. very sad.

[The Gem]

I guess there was one shot Big Steve couldn't block. Very sad news.

[Viperstick]

I was praying this was a joke or a euphemism for how Steve had transformed his body.

The obvious parallels to Chris Daniels are stunning. Both were having seasons in which media pundits talked seriously about their NBA prospects, both had wide smiles that could light up a room, but most importantly, both were genuinely kind/good souls who were loved by their teammates and the wider university community. RIP Steve, thanks for the memories.

We are...UD!!!!

[UDDoug]

Shocking and sad. Trivializes much of what gets posted off season.

Probably not many programs have had the sad misfortune to deal with this twice in twenty some odd years.

RIP Steve. Prayers for you family and friends. Thanks for memories - too short though they were.
Posted via Mobile Device

[NYCFLYER]

I am stunned and devastated by the news. My prayers go out to his family.

[ClaytonFlyerFan]

RIP BIG STEVE

From what I witnessed watching games, I think Big Steve was destined to be a leader of this team his junior and senior year. An infectious smile, good attitude, and from all reports a work ethic rivaled by very few.

[Southwest]

Steve was such a nice, extremely hard working young man. I am devastated.

God bless him and give comfort to his family.

[BRob2Perryman3]

Wins and losses are so trivial. My God. Again. I am devastated. Devastated. How? Why? I just don't Understand. Chris Daniels all over again. I am a grown ass man and i can't get ahold of myself. heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Prayers with Steve and his family,friends and teammates.

RIP #5

[NovaFlyer]

I am so sad right now. He was a great kid who wore the smile of UD pride. Prayers for his family, teammates, and friends.

[NEOFlyer]

Very sad to hear. All of us from the football side of the forum feel the loss as well. He showed a lot of potential

[redbengal]

I would give anything right now to change the news to, "Steve McElvene Collapses; Enlarged Heart Will End Basketball Career". I'm struggling so much to find meaning in something like this. Getting real choked up reading what everyone has to say. I hope his family can be comforted in some small way knowing how the UD family feels about Steve.

[JimBo]

Right now everything else seems trivial. Just makes no sense. I feel so sad.

[BRob2Perryman3]

Originally Posted by redbengal I would give anything right now to change the news to, "Steve McElvene Collapses; Enlarged Heart Will End Basketball Career". I'm struggling so much to find meaning in something like this. Getting real choked up reading what everyone has to say. I hope his family can be comforted in some small way knowing how the UD family feels about Steve.

Steve McElvene Transfers, Steve McElvene flunks out, Steve McElvene etc.......Anything but this.......just doesn't seem real.


UDPride and its members are the best sort of comfort i got right now. Thank you fellow Priders.

[Buster Goode]

Not right, this is killing me.

[BRob2Perryman3]

Originally Posted by Muskeagle From an X fan....terribly sorry for the loss for your school, for your program and for the young man's family. Terrible, terrible news. very sad.

Today we aren't Flyers or Musketeers, we are all basketball fans mourning a terrible terrible loss. Young man with everything ahead of him. EVERYTHING. Basketball feels absolutely pointless right now.

	Xavier XAVIER MUSKETEERS Dayton's biggest rival dating back to the early 1900s. Founded in 1831, Xavier University is a Jesuit, Catholic university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its three colleges offer 78 undergraduate majors, 43 minors and 11 graduate programs to 6,646 total students, including 3,961 undergraduates. The University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation and one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities nationwide. Xavier's nickname is the Musketeers and are fellow A10 Conference members.

[Radar]

He died of an enlarged heart, and it breaks ours...

R.I.P.S.M.

[Radar]

This is Dayton-to-Daytona week. The students in that trip are holding a prayer service for Big Steve there this evening.

[rollo]

Sir Big Steve has a much deserved and permanent seat at the Royal Roundtable.

[T-Bone 84]

Originally Posted by Radar This is Dayton-to-Daytona week. The students in that trip are holding a prayer service for Big Steve there this evening.

Glad to see the community come together to reflect and to comfort one another, even in an environment that screams "party". Reflects well on an oft-criticized segment of our society.
Posted via Mobile Device

[T-Bone 84]

I keep scrolling through this thread and the posts on Facebook, hoping to wake up and find out it was all a nightmare. I'm still in a state of shock, 6 hours after hearing the news. I guess those are among the stages of grief, right?

R.I.P., Big Steve.
Posted via Mobile Device

[FLYER5]

RIP, Steve. You'll always live in fond memories. Memories of your growth as a basketball player and your true-team exuberation will be emblazoned in my mind as evidence of the true Flyer that you are, and will always be.

[Sea Bass]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...ne-dies-age-20

[FlyingArrow]

Terrible news. So sad.

[UD93 Steve]

WANE reports that McElvene was in New Haven, Indiana, to speak to a class of at-risk students at his former high school. The station says that he had been “relaying how he was able to turn his life around.”

http://-mcelvene-dead-dies-cause-of-death-funeral-twitter-girlfriend/

[Sarge]

Did not know the young man other than having the extreme pleasure of watching him play. Selfishly, I will miss watching Steve play - enjoyed seeing him smile while playing a game he obviously loved.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, teammates, and coaches. Steve will be missed.

[udfanatic]

Steve was an amazing person who grew immensely. He was an asset on earth who was called above. God Bless him. I'm stunned and deeply saddened. Steve is a role model to all of how to live. Work hard, be positive and good things will happen.

Fox 45's 10 PM news had great coverage and dedicated the last quarter of their broadcast to Big Steve and had videos of him. Hopefully they will post the full video online later.

[mudbutt]

Condolences on the loss of a member of the UD family. Tragic. And it's not the only member of the UD family to pass away much too early. Justin Gray, a 2005 UD College of Law graduate, collapsed and died of the exact same thing last Friday. He was in good health, 37 years old and left behind 7 and 8 year old sons. He had his own law practice in Wilmington. He, much like Steve, was a great guy. Been a rough week for the UD family.

RIP Justin and Steve.

[NCkevi]

Originally Posted by udfanatic Steve was an amazing person who grew immensely. He was an asset on earth who was called above. God Bless him. I'm stunned and deeply saddened. Steve is a role model to all of how to live. Work hard, be positive and good things will happen. Fox 45's 10 PM news had great coverage and dedicated the last quarter of their broadcast to Big Steve and had videos of him. Hopefully they will post the full video online later.

http://fox45now.com/sports/content/t...steve-mcelvene

[Havoc City]

I just read about the sad and tragic death of Steve McElvene on the VCU message board. Our program went through this back in 1989 when our senior forward, Michael Brown, collapsed and died during practice. Many of us still remember that young man, and we know how badly it can hurt to lose a player in such a manner. Our thoughts and prayers and with his family and the entire Dayton community. We are grieving with you from RVA.

[SeasonTicketFan]

Originally Posted by Havoc City I just read about the sad and tragic death of Steve McElvene on the VCU message board. Our program went through this back in 1989 when our senior forward, Michael Brown, collapsed and died during practice. Many of us still remember that young man, and we know how badly it can hurt to lose a player in such a manner. Our thoughts and prayers and with his family and the entire Dayton community. We are grieving with you from RVA.

Unfortunately, this is the second big man that UD had lost in the last twenty years. Chris Daniels in 1996.


Makes you wonder if human organs can't support large people well. Average male height worldwide is 5'9". Steve at 6'11" was in the top one percent or less

Larry Bird is terrified

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14...ie-young-right



Very sad...

[udstevied_D87]

Originally Posted by Havoc City I just read about the sad and tragic death of Steve McElvene on the VCU message board. Our program went through this back in 1989 when our senior forward, Michael Brown, collapsed and died during practice. Many of us still remember that young man, and we know how badly it can hurt to lose a player in such a manner. Our thoughts and prayers and with his family and the entire Dayton community. We are grieving with you from RVA.

Thank you for the kind words. It shows that it is more than a just a game on the court.

[Flyer2]

Originally Posted by DallasFlyer When Chris Daniels passed, the talk was just starting about mandatory testing and detailed heart screening for athletes. And yet, here we are again so many years later. The kid from Baylor retired when he went through the NBA combine and they discovered Marfans Syndrome. Kid is incredibly lucky to be alive no thanks to his school or the NCAA. Big Steve is gone. No bringing him back, but I hope to god Dayton spends whatever money it takes to ensure the most advanced testing is being done. Maybe this was an undetectable thing, but from what I understand, it often can be prevented. This cannot keep happening.

Goggle enlarged heart- no simple answer, lots of things can cause it, including heredity. When Steve was sick during the season with a "virus" he did not play until he was cleared. One of my friends ignored her virus and ended up damaging her heart valve...on her second now.

Dr. Curren stated that they ran extensive tests on Steve before he was cleared to play. "Chris Daniels" was 20 years ago and since them tremendous strides have been made in Eco Ultrasound and other testing methods. I have had them and I do have an enlarged heart that was detected on an x-ray some 45 years ago.

Please don't start a blame game as coping with his loss brings great sadness to the UD community. I went a hr early before games to watch some drills and Big Steve had high and low 5's for everyone. His big smile brought one to my wife and I. I had the pleasure of talking with Steve and Ryan Mikesell at Dr. Levitt's picnic last summer and he was great! I teased him about his height and Mikesell came up with the quote of the day that Steve was 6'14". Then we talked about his free throw shooting and my 7 year old granddaughter offer to help him-laughs all around.

This is just so sad... makes no sense. I was so looking forward to the next two years and his NBA career.

I can't imagine what his family, UD players, and classmates are going thru.

God bless you Steve

[Smitty10]

So difficult to come to terms with this. Prayers go out to his family, friends and fans. He was such a breath of fresh air with his smile. Such a tragedy. RIP Big Steve.

[TommyGola]

I am very, very proud of the response of Priders over this horrible loss of a young Flyer. All of the responses are focused on Steve and his family and not basketball. We have our priorities straight. When I found out about this yesterday, I was completely stunned and the only thing I could think about was Chris Daniels and now Steve. Again, so proud that Priders have focused on the value of life in this dreaded event and not basketball.

[Bat'71]

This is very difficult to come to grips with, the sudden loss of a young person that seemed so healthy and vibrant is just devastating. God Bless him and his family...this is really a tough one.

[shocka43]

This picture sums up Big Steve. Seizing the opportunity to have some fun and add some of his personality to a situation. This picture was taken prior to a game this season. This picture was reproduced a handful of times, and every time it was looked at someone got a chuckle. Definitely a good kid taken way too soon. Sad day for Flyer Nation.

[San Diego Flyer]

I thank God that Steve was taken near his home and did not suffer. It easily could have happened on the court with thousands of fans + family in attendance, or worse in an NCAA game with family and 100's of thousands of fans watching on television. The world lost a wonderful man. I can't imagine the grief of his family after seeing him get traction as a person, a student, and an athlete in a scant few years.

[lhsgolf19]

We'll find out officially what happened this morning

David Jablonski ‏@DavidPJablonski · 3m3 minutes ago  Dayton, OH

Autopsy results on Steve McElvene expected to be released this morning, according to Allen County Coroner's Office.

[The Worker]

I'm really at a loss for words. So sad.

We are UD.

We are Chris Daniels.

We are Steve McElvene.

R.I.P.

[Avid Flyer]

Does anyone have coverage of the flyers in Daytona. They held a vigil for Steve last night.

[cj]

My #3 kid is a junior at UD. He played HS bball and is about 6'4" and 200 lbs. He loves telling the story of going to the Rec Plex to play pick-up ball and one time he went up against Steve. He has always commented that Steve was the largest man he had ever seen(and #3 has a 6'9" brother). There was no way to stop Steve from getting the ball and dunking it. At one point in the game my son jumped on his back and Steve still jumped up and dunked it. Laughing the whole time. Steve had a great spirit about him.

[Bucketnight]

Originally Posted by Avid Flyer Does anyone have coverage of the flyers in Daytona. They held a vigil for Steve last night.

I'm not sure if you are asking if there was media coverage or if you are looking for an update from a student there (directly or indirectly).

I found no media coverage. Daytona has not welcomed Spring Break back into town. The town had worked to make Spring Break move other places which it had in large part until those places also pushed it out.

The local media generally only reports arrests and was likely unaware of the vigil.

I would think we will get updates over the next few days from attendees or people forwarding reports from attendees.

[cj]

Originally Posted by Bucketnight I'm not sure if you are asking if there was media coverage or if you are looking for an update from a student there (directly or indirectly). I found no media coverage. Daytona has not welcomed Spring Break back into town. The town had worked to make Spring Break move other places which it had in large part until those places also pushed it out. The local media generally only reports arrests and was likely unaware of the vigil. I would think we will get updates over the next few days from attendees or people forwarding reports from attendees.

I don't know how Daytona is going to be able to get rid of the Dayton to Daytona tradition unless they change the name of their city to Xaviera.

[CvilleFlyer]

I have a family member who knew Steve very well and he always said you couldn't meet a finer young man! He will be missed and my prayers go out to his family.

[Sea Bass]

Less than 24 hours after the death of Dayton Flyers player Steve McElvene, a coach close to him described the scene Thursday in Fort Wayne, Ind., where McElvene collapsed and died at his family’s home at 11:19 a.m. “I left work because I got the call he had passed out,” said Jamal Howell, a coach with the Spiece Indy Heat, a Nike Elite Youth Basketball League team. “By the time I got to the house, the EMT had already been there and done what he could. So I was kind of on the tail end of it.” Howell said McElvene’s mom, Jenell Shoals, and dad, also named Steve McElvene, were both there when the 6-foot-11, 20-year-old center died. “It’s kind of hard to describe,” Howell said, “When you pull up and everybody’s yelling at you that he’s gone, it’s kind of a surreal experience. It almost felt like a bad dream. It still doesn’t feel real.”

\http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/...t-feel-/nrMTJ/

[MrFlyerFanatic]

Originally Posted by UD93 Steve WANE reports that McElvene was in New Haven, Indiana, to speak to a class of at-risk students at his former high school. The station says that he had been “relaying how he was able to turn his life around.” http://-mcelvene-dead-dies-cause-of-...er-girlfriend/

The UD Community will always remember Big Steve, but how much bigger will his legacy be?

Imagine you are one of those kids that he talked to on Wednesday. Some probably blew him off and didn't give his words much thought at the time. Now they find out that he gave up time from his last day to talk to them.

[number21]

Got together with some fellow Flyer fans and toasted the big man last night.

Sometimes its hard to figure why the good ones leave us early.

[Bill McPeek]

I have been away for the last four days with no cell or internet service. This is so very sad. He seemed like such a good kid. My heart felt condolences for his family. RIP big man.

[cj]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-aged-20.html

International news.