BROOKINGS, S.D., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Donnie Parsons, a freshman football player for South Dakota State, died early Sunday morning, the school said on Monday.
Parsons, a 19-year-old from Omaha, Neb., became sick in his dorm room after returning to Brookings following Saturday's game at Winona State in Minnesota. He was taken to a hospital where he died. The news release said Parsons suffered from asthma.
Parsons made his collegiate debut on Saturday, playing on special teams.
"Our football family has lost a very special young man in Donnie Parsons," said Coach John Stiegelmeier. "What he gave to SDSU will be greatly missed. He truly made a difference in his short time at SDSU."
Parsons, a business law major, enrolled at the school in the fall of 2002 after a standout prep career at Omaha Benson High School.
South Dakota State completes in Division II and is a member of the North Central Conference. The school is scheduled to play at Western Oregon on Saturday.
