The Tufts University lacrosse player passed away after falling unconscious during a hot dog eating competition at a charity fundraiser in Somerville, Massachusetts.
- Oct 22, 2021
AceShowbiz - Madelyn "Madie" Nicpon has passed away. The Tufts University lacrosse player died after she tragically choked during a hot dog eating contest at a charity fundraiser. She was only 20 years old.
The junior on the Jumbox' lacrosse squad was pronounced dead in Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday, October 17, a day after falling unconscious at the event. The 20-year-old was participating in a competitive eating event off-campus on Saturday, October 16 when something went horribly wrong.
According to authorities, Madie joined the competition with other students in a hot dog eating contest and suddenly choked. In a statement, Tufts University described Madie as being in an accident on Saturday afternoon at a "private, rental property" in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Tufts said first responders performed "extensive life-saving procedures." It's also explained that Madie was initially taken to Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge before being transferred to Massachusetts General in Boston, where she died.
On Sunday evening, about 3,000 students, faculty and staffers came to the campus to mourn Madie's tragic death. According to reports, they surrounded her jersey with candles and remembered her fondly. "In the face of this painful loss," school officials said in a statement, "our hearts go out to Madie's family and friends."
Tufts women's lacrosse team also shared a tribute following Madie's death. "We are beyond heartbroken to share the news of the passing of junior Madie Nicpon -- 'Scooter,' " an Instagram post shared on their official page on Tuesday, October 19 read. "Scooter was a true friend and teammate. She truly valued her relationships with her teammates and coaches."
"Her reach was far beyond our team -- she was a true connector on campus and touched every single person she met," the statement continued. "She has and will continue to inspire us every day. We should all strive to live life a little bit more like Scooter did -- a person that valued love, loyalty, compassion and friendship." The lacrosse team concluded, "True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but never at heart. We love you, Scooter. Keep dancing from above."
Madie participated in lacrosse, field hockey and indoor track and field in high school. Madie was the president of Suffern High School's Class of 2019 and co-president of its National Honor Society -- a star in the classroom. Madie was also a Rockland Scholar-Athlete, whose grade-point average exceeded 4.0 and who left for Tufts with plans to go into medicine.
