October 11, 2002

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF FURMAN SOCCER PLAYER; THREE TEAMMATES INJURED

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- An early Friday morning automobile accident on Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County has claimed the life of one member of Furman University's nationally-ranked men's soccer team and injured three of his teammates.

Furman freshman Philip Gray Griffin, 18, of Huntersville, N.C., was killed after his sport utility vehicle overturned in the southbound lanes just south of Highway 129. A tractor-trailer then hit the SUV. The accident occurred at approximately 2:50 a.m., according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Also injured in the accident were Furman freshmen soccer players Chefik Simo of Dallas, Texas; Josh Villalobos of Fayetteville, N.C.; and Sean Murray of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. All three Furman students were taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where Simo underwent surgery early Friday morning for a fractured pelvis and other injuries. He was listed in stable condition as of 11:05 a.m. Villalobos and Murray were also being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

"This is a great tragedy for Furman University and, more pointedly, for our men's soccer team," said Furman Director of Athletics Gary Clark. "We mourn for the family of Gray Griffin and for his teammates and friends. It's devastating to lose a young person whose life was so vibrant and so full of promise."

"This has been a devastating blow to our team," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "I am still in shock. You just can't imagine something like this would happen. It is a life gone too soon. We all need to keep Gray's family in our prayers."

Griffin, a product of North Mecklenburg High School, was a two-time adidas NSCAA Youth and Parade All-America selection and former captain of the United States Under-17 National Team that competed in the 2001 World Championships in Trinidad and Tobago. He had started as a defender in 12 matches and scored one goal and two assists this season as a member of the Furman soccer team that is currently ranked 14th nationally by Soccer America,sporting a 9-2-1 overall record and 4-0 Southern Conference mark.

The tragedy has forced the indefinite postponement of Furman's Saturday men's soccer match against Georgia Southern in Statesboro, according to Clark.

The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Huntersville, N.C. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Raymer Funeral Home in Huntersville.