Southern Nazarene University is mourning the death of sophomore football player Tyler Ulrich, who died five days after suffering a traumatic injury during a game. He was 21.
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Ulrich, a safety for the Crimson Storm, died Thursday, October 15, following the team's October 10 road game against Ouachita Baptist University, Us Weekly reported. The university did not disclose the nature of his injury or his cause of death.
His father, Mark Ulrich, announced the news in a Facebook post thanking those who had supported the family.
"Our family is truly blessed to receive all the love and prayers for our young Tyler and we are ever grateful," he wrote.
Southern Nazarene's athletic department also shared a statement mourning Ulrich and offering support to those closest to him.
"This loss is deeply felt across our campus," the statement read. "Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew him."
Head coach Dustin Hada remembered Ulrich as a "Man of God" and an "ultimate example of quiet strength."
An Azle, Texas, native, Ulrich arrived at Southern Nazarene in 2024 after earning second-team all-district honors in high school. He studied finance and was also an accomplished powerlifter.
Ulrich appeared in all six of the Crimson Storm's games this season, recording 39 tackles, including 17 solo stops.
A fundraiser supporting his family had raised more than $22,000 as of October 16. Southern Nazarene's October 17 game against Southwestern Oklahoma State University was canceled following his death.
