Former Wheaton College Football Teammates Drown In Lake Michigan

PORT TOWNSHIP, MI — Two men who were Wheaton College football players died in a drowning incident in Lake Michigan Saturday. According to police, Jalen Shaffer, 26, of Grand Rapids, drowned amid attempts to rescue Philip Lochirco, 24, of Warrenville, who had been struggling in the water.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say Lochirco and Shaffer were among a group of people gathered at a pier near the Pigeon Lake Channel in Ottawa County, Michigan. Around 1:13 p.m., officials say Lochirco and others jumped into the water.

Lochirco was seen to be "having difficulties," which prompted "several other people" to jump into the lake in an attempt to rescue him, a news release from Ottawa County Sheriff's Office said.

Shaffer went under the water amid these rescue efforts, per the news release.

One of the men was pulled to the shore by others in the group with the help of bystanders who threw flotation devices and contacted 911, police say.

Members of the Ottawa County Marine Patrol and the Grand Haven Township Fire Department pulled the other man to shore shortly after.

Shaffer and Lochirco were pronounced dead after resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

Police say there is an ongoing investigation but said there was no apparent foul play in connection with the incident.

According to Wheaton College Athletics, Lochirco, originally from Yorkville, was a civil engineering and political science major who played as a defensive lineman. Shaffer, a business and economics major, played as a linebacker.

A celebration of life for Shaffer is planned for June 19. No obituary information was available for Lochirco as of Tuesday morning.

In a statement, Wheaton College Head Football Coach Jesse Scott said, “Our hearts are heavy as we share the tragic passing of Jalen and Phil.”

Scott added, "They were more than former players in our program — they were brothers, teammates, and friends whose lives left a lasting impact on Wheaton Football. Both Jalen and Phil were great examples of what it means to be Wheaton Football players: men who pursued excellence in what they did on and off the field, but more importantly, men who wanted others to know and love Jesus and who were fiercely committed to their faith."