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Cornelius native and Elon University football player Demitri Allison died Wednesday after falling from a 10-story residence hall at UNC-Chapel Hill, officials said.
Allison was a wide receiver on Elon's football team and played for SouthLake Christian Academy in Huntersville.
He had left the Elon campus Monday and his teammates, friends and family asked police to look for him because they were concerned for his well-being and emotional state, Elon officials said.
Statement from Elon's Dean of Students:
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the death of junior Demitri Allison. He was the son of Mark and Lisa Hartman of Cornelius, N.C. Demitri was majoring in management and was a wide receiver on the Elon Phoenix football team.
There will be a Gathering of Friends tomorrow, Thursday, for all who wish to share their feelings of loss and reflect on fond memories and special moments with Demitri. The gathering will be at 4:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium.
According to law enforcement officers, Demitri died this afternoon after falling from Morrison Residence Hall, a 10-story building at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He had left the Elon campus yesterday and his teammates, friends and family asked police to look for him because they were concerned for his well-being and emotional state.
The death of any student is devastating to our community, especially in situations like this, and we want to reach out to friends and acquaintances who knew Demitri. The loss of a classmate, friend and student reminds us that the life of each person in our community is precious. This loss is particularly painful for the Phoenix athletics family, and the football team's Chaplain is providing counseling for the players and staff. "Everyone associated with Elon athletics is devastated," said Athletics Director Dave Blank. "Demitri was a talented young man with a bright future who was loved by his teammates. We mourn his loss deeply and we pray for his family and loved ones."
Those who knew Demitri may benefit from speaking with a staff member or counselor. Elon's counseling staff and the chaplain's staff are available as we begin the grieving process. Anyone who would like to talk about their feelings of loss or concern for others may contact Counseling Services at 278-7280 or the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life at 278-7729. Counselors are available after hours on call by contacting Campus Safety and Police at 278-5555. The Student Life administrator-on-call may also be reached at 278-5555 at any time.
-Smith Jackson, vice president for Student Life
