The Iowa State community, including former and current players of the school’s football team, is mourning the loss of an athletics department staff member.
Alex Ernst, 37, was one of eight people killed in a car crash on May 4, in east-central Kansas. Ernst received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State and worked in the university’s athletic department as a video production specialist for more than a decade, mainly assisting the football program.
“For nearly 20 years behind the scenes, first as a student and then as a full-time employee, Alex was an unsung hero who played an important role in our department’s success through his outstanding work in video operations,” Iowa State director of athletics Jamie Pollard said in a news release.
Alex Ernst killed in crash when other driver attempted to pass a car on a Kansas highway
The crash occurred in the evening of May 4, when a 2016 GMC Yukon driven by 33-year-old Jaimon Gilstrap, going southbound, attempted to pass another driver and entered the northbound lane, where Ernst was driving a 2016 Subaru Legacy, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. Gilstrap and Ernst attempted to avoid each other by going into the northbound shoulder, where they collided head-on, causing a fire.
Gilstrap and three other passengers in the vehicle died. A 15-year-old in the car survived after suffering suspected minor injuries. Ernst was accompanied by three other passengers in the vehicle, all of whom also passed away.
Iowa State football players, coaches react to passing of Alex Ernst
After the news of Ernst’s passing, Iowa State’s social media accounts posted a memorial for the video staffer, prompting responses from players and coaches.
“Alex was an important and valued member of our football family and had a special relationship with so many in our program,” head coach Matt Campbell said in a news release. “He was exceptional at his job and took great pride in what he did.”
Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock and starting quarterback Rocco Becht shared stories of Ernst in posts on X.
“I know that I will always appreciate him for putting a smile on my face whenever he told me to ‘play better,” Becht wrote. “I was blessed to have been able to know you! Love you, Ernst.”
Alex was ” the do anything, for anyone, at anytime , with a grin on his face guy” . He once told me ” Good people make for Good times” ….He was GREAT people The Best https://t.co/i6AGlqP1Hb
Current NFL players and Cyclone alumni also shared condolences to Ernst in the comment section of Iowa State’s post on Instagram.
“Rest in peace, Alex.” Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jake Hummel wrote.
“Heartbreaking. Rest in Peace, Ernst,” Washington Commanders offensive lineman Julian Good-Jones wrote.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: ‘He was great people’: Alex Ernst remembered by Iowa State football coaches, players
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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