UWRF community mourns the death of former student and football player

A former University of Wisconsin-River Falls student died Oct. 12 by suicide. Ben Zayzay 19, was a football player on the UWRF football team and was also a member of the Black Student Union.

Zayzay was born on Dec. 19, 1999. He lived in Brooklyn Center. Zayzay attended Fridley High School and was a part of the high school football team.

According to an article in Bring Me The News, the UWRF Black Student Union described Zayzay as “happy, loving and super funny man that impacted many and was someone you could always depend on."

The university offers counseling to any students, faculty and staff that may be struggling with mental health through Counseling Services. There are also resources for coping with grief due to death and tragedy and are available through the Student Health and Counseling Services page on the UWRF website, uwrf.edu.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. They are available to help anyone in crisis and offer free emotional support. Call 1-800-273-8255.