CANTON – The Malone University women’s golf team had to withdraw from a tournament after its members were involved in a two-vehicle crash Sept. 28 near the Indiana border.
The team was in a 15-passenger university-owned van heading to Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana.
University officials said the van, driven by Coach Bill Eddins, was struck by another vehicle around 10:08 a.m. on state Route 30 in Convoy. Six athletes and Eddins were in the van. The other vehicle was occupied by a driver and a passenger.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated.
Four athletes and the coach were transported to a Van Wert hospital for evaluation. The two remaining athletes were examined at a Fort Wayne, Indiana, hospital. Injuries were minor and players and the coach were released later that day, officials said. It is unclear if the occupants of the other vehicle were injured.
The damaged van was undrivable, officials said. Athletes were transported home by parents and teammates. The coach was driven home by university transportation.
“I am exceedingly grateful that God’s protection surrounded our athletes and Coach Eddins, as well as the driver of the other vehicle,” University President Greg Miller said in a statement.
“Coach Eddins managed the chaos of the day seamlessly and took outstanding care of our students while keeping lines of communication open – even in the midst of his own evaluation.”
Miller praised Athletic Director Tanya Hockman for her leadership in interacting with everyone involved, including law enforcement.
Eddins “really provided the calm and composure that everyone needed in that moment. And he is continuing to care for the team in the days to follow,” Hockman added.
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Malone University women’s golf team forced out of tournament after van crash
Reporting by Amy L. Knapp, Massillon Independent / The Independent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
