Milford Gymnast, 20, Mourned After Fatal Training Accident

MILFORD, CT — The gymnastics community and beyond is mourning the tragic loss of Melanie Coleman, a former all-state gymnast at Jonathan Law High School in Milford, who died last Sunday from injuries suffered two days earlier while practicing with the Southern Connecticut State University women's team.

Coleman, 20, suffered a spinal cord injury while practicing on the bars, according to the New Haven Register. The accident occurred at New Era Gymnastics in Hamden, where the SCSU gymnastics team trains one day per week, NBC Connecticut reports.

Melanie was the beloved daughter of Thomas and Susan Coleman in Milford. She had two older sisters and two brothers. She was born and raised in Milford, attending Pumpkin Delight Elementary School, West Shore Middle School and Jonathan Law High School.

At Jonathan Law, Coleman was a member of the National Honor Society and was an all-state track runner, excelling in the 4 x 400-meter relay.

“However, Melanie's greatest passion, gymnastics, began at the age of 2,” according to her obituary. “Her talent led her to become an all-state gymnast at JLHS and she continued to compete in college. Melanie was a junior at Southern CT State University, majoring in nursing while making the Dean's List, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her two older sisters.”

As a freshman at SCSU for the 2017-18 season she joined her sister, Tiffany, who was a sophomore at the time. The two competed together until Tiffany's graduation last year.

“Melanie made lifelong friends who were incredibly important to her throughout school and her sporting activities,” the obituary reads. “She was a talented photographer, who loved capturing scenes of the beach, sunrises and sunsets. Melanie was an artistic, vibrant, smart and talented young woman who emitted love and kindness to everyone around her.”

A GoFundMe page was launched after Coleman was critically injured in a "a tragic freak accident." The page, which was created by Anna Andrich, raised more than $24,000 in one day. (Update: More than $74,000 has been raised by 1,500 people as of 12 midnight on Saturday).

Coleman was described as the "best sister, daughter, cousin, friend and best friend," in the GoFundMe post.

"Tom and Sue Coleman have raised five compassionate, kind, and tenacious children," Andrich wrote when the page was first created. "If you have had the experience and pleasure of being a part of the Coleman clan, please return the kindness that Sue and Tom have so generously given throughout their lives. Please send your love, best wishes, and support to the family. At this time, please also respect the family's privacy."

The Coleman family said this week that Melanie will "continue to be our light and love," according to a statement issued to WTNH News 8.

"She was a loving daughter, sister, cousin, teammate, and best friend," the family wrote in the statement, via WTNH News 8. "We are confident that her spirit, laughter, and humor will live on through the ones who loved her most, as well as through the gift of life to those who needed it most through organ donation.

"We are humbled by the outpouring support from our Milford community (our small town with a big heart) and beyond. She will be sadly and deeply missed by all those who crossed paths with her. The family asks for privacy during this time of healing."

Southern Connecticut State University Director of Athletics Jay Moran said in a statement this week on the college's website that, "At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Melanie's family. This has been devastating to her coaches and teammates and we hope to support them in this very difficult time. Melanie was a very bright student, an excellent athlete and involved member of the Southern Connecticut community. The entire Southern athletics family is greatly saddened by her loss."

At Jonathan Law High School, Coleman was a team captain and she was the program's most valuable player and all-state selection.

“We are heartbroken to hear this tragic news," Law Principal Fran Thompson said. "Melanie was a dedicated student and a talented gymnast – both here at Jonathan Law and at SCSU. Even though she was busy with her college work and commitments, she continued to give back to the Law community, helping our younger gymnasts along the way. The Coleman family has deep roots here – they’re family – and we send our sincerest condolences to them.”

Milford Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anna Cutaia said Coleman was a "bright, vibrant member of our community. This tragic event gives us pause to remember her as we send our deepest condolences to the Coleman family.”

Last year, she was honored by USA Gymnastics as an All-America Scholar-Athlete, and was also recognized by Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WGCA) as a Scholastic All-American. She was pursuing a degree in nursing from Southern Connecticut.

"We are heartbroken and stunned by Melanie's passing," head coach Mary Fredericks said in a news release. "She was an incredibly hard worker and a sweet-spirited young woman. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to her family at this time. The SCSU gymnastics team will miss her greatly though she will always be with us."

Former head coach Jerry Nelson said, "Melanie was an extraordinary young lady that positively touched all that knew her. Melanie was a true team player, a hard worker and a true pleasure to coach. I'm extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to coach her."

Coleman also volunteered as a youth instructor at New Era Gymnastics in Hamden.

In addition to the GoFundMe account, a page that coordinates meal donations to the family has been set up at MealTrain.com. Coleman was recently profiled in the Southern News in an article by Sam Tapper that highlights Southern Connecticut student-athletes that compete with their siblings. Melanie and her sister Tiffany were featured throughout the article.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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