SCSU athlete Melanie Coleman dies following gymnastic accident

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Southern Connecticut State University is dealing with a tragic death to one of its student-athletes. Melanie Coleman was injured in a gymnastic accident on Friday.

She died on Sunday after the accident that caused her to suffer a serious injury. Coleman was 20.

“Her coaches and professors describe Melanie as a special young woman, who excelled both in the classroom and in the gym,” School President Joe Bertolino said. “Our deepest sympathies are extended to her family and friends on this tragic loss.”

Coleman was entering her junior season at the school on the gymnastics team. According to the SCSU athletic website, she is survived by her mother, Susan Coleman and her sister, Tiffany.

“At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Melanie’s family,” Director of Athletics Jay Moran said. “This has been devastating to her coaches and teammates and we hope to support them in this very difficult time. Melanie was a very bright student, an excellent athlete and involved member of the Southern Connecticut community. The entire Southern athletics family is greatly saddened by her loss.”

During her college time, she was a member of the same team with her sister Tiffany. The two competed together, according to the school, until Tiffany’s graduation.

“We are heartbroken and stunned by Melanie’s passing,” head coach Mary Fredericks said. “She was an incredibly hard worker and a sweet-spirited young woman. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to her family at this time. The SCSU Gymnastics team will miss her greatly though she will always be with us.”

A GoFundMe has been established to help the family during this difficult time. In addition, there has also been a MealTrain to assist the family with meal donations at MealTrain.com.