Lannetti passes away, Lycoming mourns

By Pat Coleman
D3football.com

Ricky Lannetti was the Warriors' leading receiver for two years in a row. Photo by Williamsport OnLine

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Lycoming's leading wide receiver, Ricky Lannetti was hospitalized Saturday morning with an unexpected illness and passed away Saturday evening at Williamsport Hospital. He was 21.

According to the coroner, Charles Kiessling, Lannetti had been admitted to the hospital at 7 a.m. Saturday morning and died at 7:36 p.m. An autopsy Monday showed he died of a staph infection.

"This is a sudden loss for all of us. Ricky was not only a fine student-athlete but also an important member of the campus community," said Frank Girardi, head football coach and director of athletics. "He was an inspiration to us as a team and the support he had from our student body can't be put into words. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Lannetti, a 5-10 senior out of Philadelphia and Father Judge High School, had 70 catches for 955 yards and five scores in 2003 and 1,423 yards receiving for his career. His high school and college teammate, Sean Hennigar, lost his brother, a walk-on at Penn State, this past summer in a car accident.

Earlier Saturday evening Girardi talked with the football team and they decided that Lannetti would want them to play this game.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of this fine young man and outstanding football player," said president James E. Douthat. "Our thoughts are with his family tonight."