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Two Former Wheaton College Football Players Drown in Lake Michigan

Local rescue teams recovered the men as Wheaton's athletic programs issued statements mourning their loss.

Overview

  • A group of friends jumped from the south pier of the Pigeon Lake Channel in Port Sheldon Township and two men later drowned after struggling in the water over the weekend.
  • Members of the group pulled one man from the lake and Ottawa County deputies, Grand Haven Township firefighters and the Ottawa County Marine Patrol recovered a second before both were pronounced dead.
  • Officials identified the victims as 24-year-old Philip LoChirco of Warrenville, Illinois, and 26-year-old Jalen Shaffer of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  • Wheaton College said Shaffer played four seasons in five years and graduated in 2022 while LoChirco played three seasons over four years, graduated in 2023, and served as an assistant coach at Wheaton Academy.
  • Both Wheaton College and Wheaton Academy released statements expressing grief and faith-based remembrance for the men and no further public updates such as coroner findings or an ongoing criminal investigation have been reported.