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BROOKINGS, SD
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2003
09/15/2003
SDSU mourns death of football player
CAPTION: Donnie Parsons
South Dakota State University student and football player Donnie Parsons died at Brookings Hospital early Sunday morning.
Parsons, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman running back from Omaha, Neb., became stricken in his dorm room after returning to Brookings following the Jackrabbits' game Saturday at Winona State (Minn.). Parsons, who suffered from asthma, was taken by ambulance to Brookings Hospital.
Parsons made his collegiate playing debut in Saturday's game, playing on special teams.
"Our football family has lost a very special young man in Donnie Parsons," SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier said. "What he gave to SDSU will be greatly missed. He truly made a difference in his short time at SDSU."
A business law major, Parsons enrolled at SDSU in the fall of 2002 after a standout prep career at Omaha Benson High School. A three-year letterwinner, Parsons earned all-division first-team honors as a quarterback his senior season. He rushed for 800 yards and 14 touchdowns, while passing for 700 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"Donnie Parsons is a winner in every sense of the word," Stiegelmeier said. "Our sincere sympathy goes out to his family and all his loved ones."
Parsons is survived by his mother, Shirdene Davis, and a brother, Dontae Davis. Funeral arrangements are pending.
© 2003 South Dakota State University. -- All Rights Reserved.
South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007 -- 1-800-952-3541
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