Brian Love, fourth-year College student, died late Tuesday afternoon during a Virginia Alpine Ski and Snowboarding Team practice at Wintergreen Ski Resort. He was 22.
Love was found unconscious after apparently hitting a tree on the intermediate-level Tyro ski trail at approximately 4:45 p.m., Wintergreen Communications Director Frankee Love said.
"He was transported directly to the Wintergreen Ski Ambulance, and plans were made for him to be evacuated with a MedEvac helicopter," Frankee Love said. "He died prior to departing from Wintergreen."
Brian Love had gone up the ski lift with his snowboard instructor and was trying out a new snowboard according to friend Paige Gottheim, a second-year Architecture student.
Brian Love was an experienced snowboarder, winning first place in the men's Giant Slalom event at the Sugar Mountain competition earlier this year.
Students, most of whom were present with Brian Love at Wintergreen, gathered at the Student Activities Building Tuesday evening.
The University Hospital chaplain, Counseling and Psychological Services staff and deans were present.
"We provided an opportunity for students that were friends with Brian to meet with counselors and share about him," Dean of Students Penny Rue said.
A private memorial service was held for Brian Love yesterday afternoon at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Flowers with black ribbons were placed on doors to Brown College, Brian Love's former residence, in his honor. A Candlelight Vigil was also held by friends last night outside the Johnson dorm at Hereford College. The University provided support for grieving friends and students in Newcomb Hall yesterday afternoon.
Brian Love was a member of the Outdoors Club and was the men's snowboarding captain of VASST. He also served as a Madison House Boosters elementary school volunteer and helped to build the University Surf Club.
A native of Carmel, California, Brian Love graduated from Carmel High School in 2001.
He transferred to the University from the University of California-San Diego prior to his third year. He had planned to graduate from the University this spring with a B.A. in neuroscience and psychology.
According to friends, Brian Love was a driven adventure-seeker. He had plans to kayak 2,000 miles on the coast of Mexico after graduation. Friends said they would remember Brian Love as a resource to the University owing to his thorough knowledge of many outdoor trails and activities.
"The second time we ever hung out, he taught me how to mountain climb," third-year College student Alex Fitzsimmons said.
Others noted his particularly energetic personality.
"He was such a magnetic force, people just congregated around him," Gottheim said. "He made the group dynamic."
According to VASST president Alexis Day, his lively character and sports interest contributed to a welcoming atmosphere at VASST.
"He was the most vibrant person I knew. He was incredibly outgoing, and always the first to extend his friendship to the new members on the team," said Day.
University Spokesperson Carol Wood said the effects of his death will be widely felt throughout the University.
"When anything like this happens it affects everyone in the University community," Wood said. "You don't know how far reaching this is going to be because this student knew so many people."
His body will return to California. Plans for a memorial service are not yet available.
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