A college sports power is grieving after a former athlete was killed serving his country

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

A Navy Seal killed in Somalia last week has been identified as former University of Connecticut athlete Kyle Milliken, according to a Pentagon news release.

Milliken was killed during an operation targeting the terrorist group Al Shabab on May 5 in a remote area outside of Mogadishu.

Milliken, 38, was a Track and Field athlete at UConn. He was a middle distance runner who graduated in 2001, and the university remembered him on its website:

"Kyle was a glue kid, the kind of kid that didn't just show up to practice every day, but made those around him better," head coach Greg Roy said. "His work ethic, perseverance and overall toughness was appreciated by everyone around him. Kyle was a great student as well, it really didn't surprise me when he made the grade as a Navy Seal. The country has lost a great American and UConn has lost an alum who has made us proud. Our heart goes out to his wife and kids."

The UConn website noted that Milliken enlisted in 2002 and has been stationed with the East-Coast Based Special Warfare Unit. He had been awarded more than a dozen citations, ribbons and medals.