FSU gives aid, condolences to the family of basketball player Ronalda Pierce.
By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published June 12, 2004
A 56-passenger bus, two vans and a caravan of cars will begin a somber, two-hour drive from the Florida State basketball facility to Ashburn, Ga., this morning for the funeral of FSU basketball player Ronalda Pierce.
Pierce died Tuesday from a ruptured aorta, possibly the result of Marfan syndrome, though that determination can't be made until the final autopsy report is completed in four to six weeks.
She was 19. School officials also printed out 54 pages of messages from fans, opposing teams and players, former teammates and those who simply wanted to show support for the Pierce family. FSU set up a special Web page that is linked to FSU's main site,
"They're from all over the world," said Pam Overton, FSU's associate athletic director for student services.
"It's the best of college sports; people pulling together in the hard times."
To help the family with funeral expenses, FSU officials will take advantage of the Student Athlete Opportunity Fund, a pool of money from the NCAA that was made available for the first time beginning last fall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronalda Pierce Memorial Fund in care of the Community National Bank, P.O. Box 2619, Ashburn, GA 31714.
