Catholic Central Mourns the Loss of Student Athlete

Detroit Catholic Central today is mourning the loss of student athlete David Widzinski, a sophomore, who died in his sleep sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning. 

According to a statement posted on the school's website, the cause of his death is not known, and funeral services are pending. 

Widzinski is survived by his parents Paul and Barbara, his sister Emily and his brother Stephen, according to the statement. His profile on the scoutingmi.com website, which publishes stats for high school football players, lists his hometown as Northville. 

The Detroit Free Press reports that Widzinski was a linebacker and running back who most recently played for the Shamrocks in the Division 1 title game at Ford Field on Nov. 26. According to WXYZ-TV, "Widzinski was the leading tackler for Catholic Central in the game with 15 tackles – the next closest Shamrock had six."

As school principal Fr. John Huber, C.S.B., noted in the online statement, this has been a tough year for the school. In April, student Salvatore Cipriano was critically injured in an attack on his family in their Farmington Hills home. Salvatore's twin brother, Tanner, was not hurt and remains at Catholic Central; their mother, Rose, was also injured and their father, Robert was killed. The couple's oldest child, Tucker, faces felony charges in connection with the attack on his family. 

"We are confident in the prayers, love and support of the greater community, as we have already experienced over this past year. We are grateful for the prayers and love of students and families from our fellow Catholic, public and private schools: you are good friends," Huber wrote. 

The statement also asked the press to "keep their distance from our students at this tragic time. They are in shock and are fragile." Counselors are meeting with members of the football team and will be available throughout the day for all students, particularly those in Widzinski's classes.