SFSU Public Affairs Press Release
Published by the Public Affairs Office at San Francisco State University, Diag Center.
| SFSU Public Affairs Press ReleasePublished by the Public Affairs Office at San Francisco State University, Diag Center. |
SAN FRANCISCO, CA-- March 1, 1999 -- San Francisco State University student Alvaro (Andrew) Andres Pena died on Saturday, February 27 after collapsing following a Friday night weight-lifting work out at a local gym. On Friday night, Pena, a member of the University’s wrestling team went to Daly City to lift weights with a friend. Pena reportedly complained of a severe headache and the young men left the gym. Pena’s condition worsened.
He was taken to the Seton Medical Center’s Emergency Center in Daly City on Friday night. Medical Center officials said Pena was admitted and then transferred to the UCSF Medical Center. UCSF officials confirmed he died there on Saturday morning. The San Francisco Medical Examiner’s office said the cause of death has not yet been determined.
Pena played a reserve role on the San Francisco State University wrestling team during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons at 118-pound weight class and 141 pound weight class. During his two-year career, Pena scored 113 points with a 4-11 overall record.
Pena was a three-time league champion, four-time California Interscholastic Federation (C. I. F.) placer, two-time state qualifier and three-time all county while a member of the Irvine High School wrestling team. He was selected Most Valuable Wrestler by HIS and the City of Irvine.
SFSU head wrestling coach Lars Jensen stated, "We recruited Andrew out of Irvine High School. He was a hard worker, a scholar athlete and a team leader. The guys looked up to him."
President Robert A. Corrigan stated, "The sudden death of a young person, particularly an athlete, comes as a particular shock and grief. Andrew was taken far too soon. My heart goes out to his family, teammates, and other friends at this terribly sad time."
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 4, 1999 at Saddleback Chapel in Irvine, California.
Pena was born in Colombia on February 9, 1979. He attended high school in Irvine, California. Pena was a sophomore at San Francisco State University with an undeclared major.
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