Prayers and condolences to EIU, football squad

[Jason Svoboda]

EIU asst. football coach killed in car crash on way home from SIU playoff game
Posted: Nov 29, 2009 7:22 AM CST
Updated: Nov 29, 2009 7:29 AM CST

Effingham, IL (AP) - An Eastern Illinois University assistant football coach has died following a car crash that happened as he returned home from Saturday's playoff game against the Southern Illinois University Salukis.

The Effingham County coroner confirms early Sunday morning that offensive line coach Jeff Hoover was killed in the accident.

The car apparently swerved to avoid a deer. It wasn't immediately clear if anyone else was injured in the crash.

Hoover was in his third season as Eastern Illinois' offensive line coach. He previously worked at Portland State University.

Since we played EIU quite a bit, figured I'd post this. Terribly sad news.

 

[Sycamore624]

Just read this on ESPN...very sad story! Our thoughts are with the family,EIU and everyone involved.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

A tragedy indeed. My prayers are with Hoover's family and the EIU football program.

 

[TJames]

For some reason, traveling to and from SIU is dangerous....

This is like the fifth or sixth accident that I have heard about of sports-related people driving to or from Carbondale dying in car accidents. Several years ago, the women's sports information director for SIU (Mitch Parkinson) died when he crashed into a guard rail at the I-70/57 split in Effingham. I have driven those roads....57 down and back to Carbondale....and have even taken 57 north towards Chicago......through Effingham......

 

[country123a]

Very sad news...