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WEST MILFORD - Collegian's death shocks community
(by Rebecca Scanlon - News Editor - September 24, 2008)
Benjamin Jurgensen, 22, died Sept. 22 near Centenary College in Hackettstown
WEST MILFORD - The community was rocked this week by the news that a popular former student and athlete at West Milford High School had passed away suddenly on Monday.
Benjamin Jurgensen, 22, died Sept. 22 near Centenary College in Hackettstown, where he was a senior majoring in business administration with a concentration in sports management.
Authorities did not know yesterday what caused Jurgensen, a pitcher for Centenary's baseball team, to collapse unconscious in a residential area near the college while he was jogging that warm autumn evening.
"He was definitely a leader out there on the mound," Joe Trentacosta, Jurgensen's baseball coach at West Milford High School, said. Jurgensen pitched at the varsity level his junior and senior years and was a key reason why the baseball team was so competitive in the county tournament his senior year, his former coach said.
"He was definitely our ace his senior year," Trentacosta said. "He's the reason why we got as far as we did."
Trentacosta said that he has been getting phone calls from other former players as word of Jurgensen's passing spread.
"We were so shocked to hear," he said. "He's certainly going to be missed."
Trentacosta noted that even while playing at the college level, Jurgensen still made time to return to the township and lend his baseball tutelage to local youngsters.
Bob Henry was Jurgensen's coach for fall and summer baseball and worked with him at the Connie Mack Winter Training at West Milford High School for the last four years.
"He was a great pitcher and person," Henry said. "He was a great asset to have as a player, friend and instructor."
Henry said that Jurgensen was a great teacher at the local baseball clinic the past few winters and helped mold the arms of pitchers from several North Jersey teams.
"A couple pitchers pitching now, Ben was instrumental in guiding them to be the pitchers they are today," Henry said.
Tim Gillen, athletic director at West Milford High School, likewise recalled Jurgensen as a well-liked student and athlete.
"He was a very popular member of his class," Gillen said. "He was very passionate about baseball."
Lt. James Macaulay of the Hackettstown Police Department confirmed that Jurgensen, 22, of West Milford, a student of Centenary College, was pronounced dead at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center at 5:48 p.m., less than an hour after his lifeless body was found in a residential area near the campus. Police said that he had been jogging.
"It appears there was no foul play. It's a tragedy," Macaulay said.
A local woman called police at 5:10 p.m. Monday to report an "unconscious unresponsive party" and also attempted to revive him with chest compressions. Patrols took over with CPR when they arrived and then Haskettstown Rescue Squad took over his care.
Now it's in the hands of the Hackettstown Police Department's Detective Bureau and the Warren County Medical Examiner's Office to determine what caused Jurgensen's demise. The results of their efforts are not expected for at least several weeks.
Macaulay explained that the student collapsed in the area of Church and Washington streets, which is near the college but residential. It is a common path for college students to take while on route to the downtown where they might grab food or do banking.
"It's definitely not uncommon for college students to be in that area," he said.
Centenary College had planned a gathering last night to offers students an opportunity to share and said that it would make counseling available to students.
"Our condolences are with Ben's family and everyone who knew and loved him," the college said in a press release Tuesday.
Richards Funeral Home was handling arrangements, though nothing had been prepared before press time Tuesday.
Managing Editor Donna Rolando contributed to this story.
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