UNL student dies playing pickup football
He was athletic and fit. He was popular. He loved farming, studied hard and took his faith seriously. On Wednesday night, Robert C. Clausen died — suddenly and mysteriously — after collapsing during a pickup football game in Cook Pavilion.
The 18-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman from Clarkson was pronounced dead after 11 p.m. at BryanLGH Medical Center West, said UNL Police Capt. Carl Oestmann.
An autopsy was performed Thursday, but results won’t be available until next week.
After Wednesday Bible Study at the Alpha Gamma Sigma House, Clausen and a dozen of his fraternity brothers left at about 10 p.m. to play football at Cook Pavilion.
About 45 minutes into the game, as his teammates broke huddle and prepared to run a play, Clausen collapsed.
“I kind of turned around, and he was lying on the ground,” said Cole Blomendahl, Clausen’s roommate.
“I realized, ‘Holy crap, he’s unconscious.’ He was struggling to breathe. His eyes were rolled back. We were screaming for help.”
A man at the pavilion gave Clausen chest compressions to help him breathe until paramedics arrived. He was taken to the hospital and died later that night.
“You’re driving a car, and you hit a bird that dies; you feel bad,” Blomendahl said. “Seeing a human as he’s dying is something else. It’s something that will always be in my mind.”
Cook Pavilion was hot and humid Wednesday night, Blomendahl said, but Clausen hadn’t shown signs of fatigue or complained about his health.
Clausen’s mother said her son passed out once when he was 16. He had been playing basketball while he was sick with a cold.
He went to see a cardiologist and was given a clean bill of health.
“Nobody expects to lose their 18-year-old,” Lisa Clausen said from her Clarkson home, where Robert Clausen’s father, Chris, and his sister, Beth, also reside.
“He was liking school, liking his roommates. He played sports all year round. Four seasons.
“Couldn’t hardly ask for a better son.
“We’re devastated,” she said, struggling not to cry.
At Schuyler Central High School, Robert Clausen participated in basketball, football, golf, track and baseball. He was a member of the band, FFA, science club and math club. He was active in his church.
At UNL, he was three weeks into a double major in agribusiness and agronomy.
“He was a hard-working farm kid,” said Ryan Windhorst, president of Alpha Gamma Sigma. “Everyone around here just liked the kid.
“We’re pretty much in shock.”
A psychologist helped some of the students deal with Clausen’s death.
“Mainly, we’re leaning on each other,” Blomendahl said.
He said Clausen was driven by morals, optimism and results. He didn’t smoke, didn’t do drugs.
“Rob was a man of strong faith,” Blomendahl said. “He always had a smile on his face. He was passionate. He wanted to do things right.
“The two-and-a-half weeks I got to know him really were worth it.”
Reach Josh Swartzlander at 473-7120 or jswartzlander@journalstar.com.
The 18-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman from Clarkson was pronounced dead after 11 p.m. at BryanLGH Medical Center West, said UNL Police Capt. Carl Oestmann.
An autopsy was performed Thursday, but results won’t be available until next week.
After Wednesday Bible Study at the Alpha Gamma Sigma House, Clausen and a dozen of his fraternity brothers left at about 10 p.m. to play football at Cook Pavilion.
About 45 minutes into the game, as his teammates broke huddle and prepared to run a play, Clausen collapsed.
“I kind of turned around, and he was lying on the ground,” said Cole Blomendahl, Clausen’s roommate.
“I realized, ‘Holy crap, he’s unconscious.’ He was struggling to breathe. His eyes were rolled back. We were screaming for help.”
A man at the pavilion gave Clausen chest compressions to help him breathe until paramedics arrived. He was taken to the hospital and died later that night.
“You’re driving a car, and you hit a bird that dies; you feel bad,” Blomendahl said. “Seeing a human as he’s dying is something else. It’s something that will always be in my mind.”
Cook Pavilion was hot and humid Wednesday night, Blomendahl said, but Clausen hadn’t shown signs of fatigue or complained about his health.
Clausen’s mother said her son passed out once when he was 16. He had been playing basketball while he was sick with a cold.
He went to see a cardiologist and was given a clean bill of health.
“Nobody expects to lose their 18-year-old,” Lisa Clausen said from her Clarkson home, where Robert Clausen’s father, Chris, and his sister, Beth, also reside.
“He was liking school, liking his roommates. He played sports all year round. Four seasons.
“Couldn’t hardly ask for a better son.
“We’re devastated,” she said, struggling not to cry.
At Schuyler Central High School, Robert Clausen participated in basketball, football, golf, track and baseball. He was a member of the band, FFA, science club and math club. He was active in his church.
At UNL, he was three weeks into a double major in agribusiness and agronomy.
“He was a hard-working farm kid,” said Ryan Windhorst, president of Alpha Gamma Sigma. “Everyone around here just liked the kid.
“We’re pretty much in shock.”
A psychologist helped some of the students deal with Clausen’s death.
“Mainly, we’re leaning on each other,” Blomendahl said.
He said Clausen was driven by morals, optimism and results. He didn’t smoke, didn’t do drugs.
“Rob was a man of strong faith,” Blomendahl said. “He always had a smile on his face. He was passionate. He wanted to do things right.
“The two-and-a-half weeks I got to know him really were worth it.”
Reach Josh Swartzlander at 473-7120 or jswartzlander@journalstar.com.
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