STATE COLLEGE, Pa.; February 23, 2002 - Kevin Dare, a member of the Penn State men's track and field team, died today while competing at the Big Ten Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships in Minneapolis, Minn.
A sophomore from State College, Dare, 19, fell during a pole vault attempt and hit his head on the ground at approximately 2:40 p.m. CT. After being treated by EMTs on site at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse, he was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later as a result of a fatal head trauma.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin's family and friends," said Tim Curley, Penn State Director of Athletics. "This is a very sad and difficult day for the Penn State and State College communities. Kevin was an outstanding, personable young man. He had many friends in State College and on campus. Kevin was an accomplished student and athlete at State College High School and had several significant achievements during his first two years at Penn State. It's just a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the Dare family."
Dare's best effort this season was clearing 16-4 3/4 in the USTCA series meet January 12 at Penn State's Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track. Last season, he placed fifth in the pole vault at the ICAAAA Championships, helping seal the team championship for Coach Harry Groves' squad.
Dare won the pole vault at the United States Track and Field Junior National Championships last June, winning the event by clearing 16-6 3/4. That victory gave him an opportunity to compete in a Team USA vs. Great Britain meet, where he also was victorious. Dare also competed for the United States at the Pan American Junior Championships in Argentina last fall.
As a member of the State College Area High School team, Dare won the 2000 PIAA state championship in the pole vault. He also played football for the Little Lions.
Dare's older brother, Eric, throws the javelin for the Penn State track team in the spring and is a defensive back for the Nittany Lion football team.