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January 27, 2004VANDERBILT: School mourns loss of athleteMatthew Whitman was killed in a car accidentByRecord-Eagle staff writer and By Record-Eagle staff writer VANDERBILT - In the middle of the night, in an instant of chaos, Vanderbilt High School lost its Mr. Everything. Matthew Lee Whitman, 17, couldn't be described simply by his many honors and achievements, those who knew him said. A three-sport athlete, class valedictorian and member of the student council and National Honor Society, Whitman died early Saturday when a car driven by his classmate and best friend collided with a hospital-bound ambulance. Hours before the crash, the tiny 67-student high school celebrated its first basketball victory of the season. Monday, it grieved the loss of the team's captain. "He was truly a joy to coach," said Tim O'Rourke, Vanderbilt's first-year varsity basketball coach. "He was a pleasure to have around. He was a kid you would be so proud to call your son." Whitman and class salutatorian Michael Jones, who planned to room together in college, drove to Gaylord to meet friends after the victory Friday night. On the way back to Vanderbilt, Jones was apparently trying to pull over for an ambulance that was transporting a patient to Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord. Authorities said Jones lost control and crossed into the path of the ambulance, which slammed into the passenger's side of the vehicle. Jones suffered minor injuries but was back in school Monday, said superintendent Ellen Bonter. Whitman was pronounced dead at the scene. "He'll be sorely missed, not only for his athletic ability, but just as a person," O'Rourke said. Classes at Vanderbilt will be canceled on Wednesday for a funeral to be held in the school's gymnasium at 11 a.m. Athletic director Stuart Clark said Monday's volleyball game against Harbor Light Christian was postponed, as was tonight's basketball contest against Wolverine. Clark, who also teaches at Vanderbilt, said Whitman was a great student. "That's the hardest part of the whole thing," Clark said. "He was an honors student, valedictorian of his class and just a general great kid. He was one of those kids that you enjoy having in the classroom, that's for sure." An empty desk was placed in a school hallway Monday to mark Whitman's absence. On the desk was a yearbook, a basketball and a spiral notebook for students to sign and write messages to the family. Several local ministers and counselors from Wolverine and Gaylord schools also were on hand, Bonter said. "Today has been about three weeks long," Bonter said. "We'll be in school (Tuesday), but quite frankly, I am hoping for a snow day. I think everyone could use it." A forward on the basketball team, Whitman was the leading rebounder. O'Rourke said Whitman averaged more than 10 rebounds a game and around 8.5 points. "Matt was a hard-nosed, blue-collar player," O'Rourke said. "He was the first one on the floor (going after a loose ball)." O'Rourke said he received several phone calls from area coaches, expressing sympathy as well as praising the sportsmanship the player showed on the court. "He made me a better person for knowing him," O'Rourke said of Whitman, who also ran cross country and played baseball for Vanderbilt. Whitman is survived by his parents Gary and Debbie Whitman; a brother, who is a sophomore at Vanderbilt; and two older siblings, Bonter said. Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord is handling the funeral arrangements. Otsego County prosecutor Kevin Hesselink said his office is reviewing the accident investigation. "We are working on that right now. Charges will likely be made and sent to district court," he said. Hesselink would not say who might be charged or what the charges might be, but an arraignment was expected today. The sheriff's department said in a press release Saturday that alcohol was not believed to have been a factor. Vanderbilt's basketball team is scheduled to return to action on Feb. 3 with a home game against Fairview.
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