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Dayton Daily News (Ohio)
WOOSTER — Walking off the field after Saturday's win over rival Ohio Wesleyan, College of Wooster offensive lineman Clayton Geib turned to his father and said. "This is the best day ever."
A short time later, it turned into one of the darkest days in the football program's history.
Geib, 21, a senior chemistry major at Wooster, fell ill upon returning to the locker room, and died Sunday afternoon at Wooster Community Hospital, according to a statement released by the college. He had been transported to the hospital Saturday by the EMS squad.
A three-year starter at right guard, Geib played in the Fighting Scots' 38-20 Homecoming victory Saturday at John P. Papp Stadium.
Wooster football coach Frank Colaprete broke the news to his team Sunday afternoon.
"I told them what Clayton's father (Marshall) told me Clayton said about the team and how important it was to him to be a part of it," Colaprete said Sunday night. "They were walking off the field together (Saturday) and he told his father 'This is the best day ever.'
"He loved being a part of Wooster football, and winning in front of such a great crowd. It's part of what made him so happy and it's why he chose Wooster - the community, the academics, he loved everything about it."
Geib, a native of London, Ohio, was an all-conference offensive lineman at Wooster.
"Clayton was a wonderful student and member of The College of Wooster community, and beloved by many," said Sarah R. Bolton, Wooster's president, in a release from the school. "Our hearts are breaking, and all our prayers and thoughts are with Clayton's family, teammates and friends."
Colaprete said Geib's mother, Martha, died unexpectedly two years ago. Then a sophomore, the two-time North Coast Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll member got straight A's the semester of his mother's passing.
"We'll have to move forward because that's what Clayton did," Colaprete said.
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