University of Massachusetts, Lowell and the track and field community is mourning the loss of rising senior high jumper Oluwatoni Onikeku, a student-athlete and an active member of the campus community. Onikeku drowned on Sunday while swimming with friends in the Deerfield River in Deerfield, Mass.
“The university community is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Oluwatoni Onikeku,” the university said in a statement issued this morning. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends, to whom we offer our heartfelt sympathy. We have reached out to his teammates to offer counseling and support.”
UMass Lowell Director of Athletics Dana Skinner expressed the feelings of many; “We are heartbroken and saddened with this news as our River Hawk family has lost a special member. Our thoughts and prayers are with Toni’s family, friends and the entire UMass Lowell track & field community during this time of loss.”
Onikeku was a political science major with a 3.15 GPA and had recently been elected to a leadership position on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He served as the Treasurer for SAAC and had been elected to fill that position for a second year. Onikeku, also, was active in the Bowling for Impact and Ugly Sweater fundraising events.
“He was hard working and focused, Toni was a true team leader,” said Track and Field Head Coach Gary Gardner. “There wasn’t one person on the team that he didn’t sincerely care about and it showed. It didn’t matter if it was a jumper, thrower or distance runner Toni was friends with all of them. The show of support on social media is absolutely amazing. A real tribute to Toni’s character.”
In track and field competition, Onikeku earned a variety of honors. He was named All-America East, All-New England and All-East during the 2015 outdoor season and earned a spot in the UMass Lowell Top Ten Lists clearing the bar at six-feet, 10.25-inches.
“Toni was so much more than just a high jumper on the team; he was a friend, a leader and a school ambassador.” said Assistant Coach Patrick Swett who works with the team’s jumpers. “Toni was a bright shining light with boundless potential and an enormous heart destined for success well beyond the high jump apron. The track team at UMass Lowell becomes a second family to those who join the program. Collectively we are mourning the loss of a brother and to me, a son.”
