Vanderbilt pitcher and Clarksville native
Donny Everett drowned at a Coffee County Lake on Thursday night.
Vanderbilt Director of Athletics David Williams released this statement at 8:55 a.m. Friday:
"We learned last night of the tragic death of Donny Everett, an outstanding young man who exemplified the best of our university. As you can imagine, the team, the athletic department and the university are trying to come to terms with this tragedy. His parents and loved ones are on our minds and in our prayers as we share in their grief.”
Coach Tim Corbin met with players and coaches late Thursday night to inform them of Everett’s death. The Commodores are scheduled to play Xavier in their NCAA Regional game at 7 p.m. Friday.
Vanderbilt spokesman Rod Williamson said the status of Friday's game has not yet been decided because the university is still gathering information and athletics director David Williams is traveling back from the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Fla.
Everett, 19, just finished his freshman year at Vanderbilt. He was one of the nation’s top high school pitchers while starring at Clarksville High.
A Coffee County emergency dispatcher said emergency crews were called to a drowning in Normandy Lake about 5 p.m. The sheriff’s office and an emergency squad ambulance were sent to the scene, the dispatcher said.
Normandy Lake, which is located in Manchester, is about 44 minutes southeast of Murfreesboro by car. It is a popular spot for fishing and swimming.