The Chapin High School community is mourning the death of a senior football player.

The Newberry County Coroner’s Office announced that Fabian Douglas “Trey” Ruff III, 17, died Tuesday morning at a home in Little Mountain. A cause of death was not identified in a statement from the coroner’s office confirming the death, and Ruff’s passing remains under investigation, the coroner’s office said.

Ruff is listed as an offensive guard/defensive lineman on the Chapin Eagles’ football roster. He also is a member of the school’s track and field team.

A message sent to Chapin High families said only that a senior “became ill at home and passed away.”

“This tragic event has affected the entire school and community,” the message from the high school said. “He was an outstanding young man who positively impacted his community as a son, brother, classmate, and friend.”

Grief counselors will be made available to anyone affected, the school said.

Chapin football coach Justin Gentry released a statement on Ruff’s passing Wednesday evening.

“The Ruff Family, Chapin football, Chapin High School, and the entire Chapin community were handed a huge blow Tuesday morning. Tre’s passing has been difficult to comprehend, but the love, support, and prayers from around the state have been extremely comforting,” Gentry wrote. “Tre had the ability to light up the room the minute he walked in. He was such a mild-mannered young man with a huge heart for everyone. Our whole school is mourning the loss of him, but the impact he made in our lives leaves us all with smiles on our faces.

“The Chapin community has wrapped their arms around Chapin High School and the Ruff family and together, we will all get through this. It is our goal as a football team to never let our memories of Trey fade as we fight through and honor his legacy this season.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Ruff family with funeral expenses.

The school will host a memorial service for Ruff on Thursday at Cecil Woolbright Stadium beginning at 7:50 p.m. There is a makeshift memorial of flowers around Ruff’s football picture at the stadium.

The Eagles host Mid-Carolina on Friday.

This story was originally published August 23, 2023, 11:04 AM.

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