FLORENCE -- Francis Marion University junior golfer Jonathan Lavin was tragically killed in a traffic accident, Wednesday evening (Sept. 3) in Florence. Lavin, 21, was a native of Askim, Sweden.
The accident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. at the intersection of National Cemetery Road and Freedom Boulevard, approximately three miles from the FMU campus.
Lavin played in three tournaments for the Patriots last season after appearing in seven events as a freshman.
He was majoring in marketing, and was named to both the Peach Belt Conference Presidential and FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic honor rolls for the 2007-08 academic year.
“We are deeply saddened by this accident and our prayers go out to Jonathan’s family,” said Francis Marion athletic director Murray Hartzler. “Jonathan was a fine example of what a student-athlete should be, and his loss will be felt throughout our campus.”
Francis Marion golf coach Mark Gaynor said, “As an athletic coach, this is a day you never expect to have to face. This time should be about going to class and meeting on the course for practice and preparing for a new season. All of these young men become family members and Jonathan was no different. Now we have lost part of our family and that hurts. Jonathan will be greatly missed and he will always be a part of the FMU golf team. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family.”
The FMU golf team is set to open its 2008-09 season on Monday at the Aldila Intercollegiate Tournament hosted by the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, but whether the Patriots will travel to Chattanooga is undecided at this time.
Funeral services are still to be announced.
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