Posted: December 22, 2005

Athletics: University Of Richmond Mourns Athlete

From David Monti

© 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

Photo: Courtesy of the University of Richmond

Students, faculty, staff and administrators at the University of Richmond have been in mourning this week after learning that sophomore Ryan Jobes of Williamstown, W.V., had died in an auto accident on Tuesday.

"We are completely devastated by the loss of Ryan," said Richmond track and field coach, Steve Taylor, in a statement posted on his team's website. "There are no words that can give insight to the level of pain and the loss we are feeling."

Jobes was driving his car on Interstate 64 in Pennsylvania's Raleigh County when he struck the back of a truck, according to an account published by the Associated Press. The car struck the rear of the truck with such force that it became lodged under it. The truck driver sustained minor injuries; there were no other people involved in the accident.

Jobes placed third at the Atlantic 10 Championships in the 800m last May with a time of 1:55.32. In 2004, he received the Ray McCoy Track Athlete of the Year award, given by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

Taylor's statement continued: "We are heartbroken for his family. Ryan was a tremendous person. In 17 years of coaching he was one of the brightest and most talented young men I had the privilege to work with."

In high school in West Virginia, Jobes won state titles and set state records in the 400m, 800m and 1600m, along with being a member of the state champion 1600m relay team.

"He was far more than an athlete, student, teammate, or friend," Taylor concluded. "He was a great ambassador for the entire state of West Virginia."