The Colorado State University athletics family was rocked with news that men’s basketball senior forward Emmanuel Omogbo had lost his parents and two young family members in a house fire in Chillum, Maryland (Washington) on Tuesday.
CSU Athletics has been quick to respond in support of the transfer from South Plains College in Texas, setting up a GoFundMe account to help Omogbo with various expected expenses. CSU fans and the general public are asked to contribute, if possible, to help cover funeral, medical and related expenses.
NCAA rules permit CSU to pay for Emmanuel’s actual and necessary expenses related to his family’s tragedy. The GoFundMe account established by CSU Athletics extends beyond that scope to cover funeral, medical and related expenses. Funds raised in excess of the support needed for those expenses will be donated to a charitable cause, per NCAA bylaws.
“We appreciate the overwhelming concern and the offers of support for Emmanuel Omogbo and his family in response to the tragedy they have experienced,” CSU Athletics Director Joe Parker said in a release from the school. “We have received many inquiries from people asking how they can help. We want to assure them that there are a number of ways that the athletic department can provide assistance as well as coordinate external efforts to help Emmanuel and his family. Those details have been now been finalized and made available to all who want to support the family. Our focus remains on providing the right support around Emmanuel and helping him make decisions that are best for him and his family.”
According to information from a report on the incident, Omogbo’s 63-year-old father and 55-year-old mother died at the scene, while his twin 2-year-old nieces were taken to a hospital where they died. His sister and two others escaped the fire with minor injuries.
