Winona State Football Player Dies On Practice Field

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A football player at Winona State University died on Monday while working out on the field Monday.

The school issued a statement on Tuesday, saying that 22-year-old Shawn Afryl, of Skokie, Illinois, had passed away at Maxwell Field.

Though some outlets were reporting an initial believed cause of death, the school informed that no cause of death had been confirmed.

"In the time Shawn was on campus, he showed a lot of people what a great fit he was going to be not only for our football program but for our campus as well," said Head Football Coach Tom Sawyer. "He did an excellent job as a counselor during our team camps, and his leadership qualities and maturity were a valuable asset to our successful camps. He will be sorely missed."

Afryl was a transfer student from the University of Illinois, and was working on a teaching degree with a focus in social studies.

CBS Chicago reported that funeral plans were still being arranged Tuesday afternoon, but the family was struggling to find funding and was requesting donations to bring his body home and have a proper burial. Donations were being accepted here.