March 18, 200620 yr UE basketball player killed in accident March 18, 2006 University of Evansville basketball player Eric Ottens was killed Friday night in a traffic accident near Dubuque, Iowa, which is about 50 miles from Ottens' family's home in Morrison, Illinois. Ottens, 23, is survived by his parents, Dennis and Sue, and a younger brother, Matt. A prayer service will be at 7 tonight at Neu Chapel on the UE campus. According to Sergeant Kevin Niemer of the Dubuque Co. Sheriff's Office, the vehicle Ottens was driving ran a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 151 and Skyline Road, 10 miles south of Dubuque, and was hit by an oncoming vehicle. A passenger in Ottens' vehicle, Christopher Hebeler, was hospitalized with a broken leg and other non life-threatening injuries. The driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries. Niemer said that alcohol was not believed to have played a role in the accident, although tests would be taken on both drivers as a matter of policy. "The UE community is heartbroken at the news of Eric's death," said UE Athletic Director Bill McGillis. "He was an unbelievable young man. Eric was the epitome of the model student-athlete. He represented himself, his team, our program and our community with class throughout his five years at UE. We are so fortunate he was a member of our basketball program and family. Eric made a profound and lasting impact on all of us and we will miss him deeply. Our hearts and prayers are with the Ottens family." Ottens graduated from UE in 2005 with a degree in management, and was working on his master's degree in health service administration during his final season of eligibility on the basketball team. He was injured for much of the season, playing in 10 games before a knee injury forced him to the sidelines in early January. He underwent knee surgery in February. A 6-6 forward, he averaged 6.0 points and 2.2 rebounds for the Purple Aces this past season. Ottens was redshirted in his freshman year of 2001-02, and then played each of the next four years. a damn shame
March 18, 200620 yr Awful to hear. Can't imagine going so young and so fast. On the brink of graduation. Horrible.
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