NCAA CBK

Crash kills son of SW Minn. St. coach

Share This Story

Updated Jul 29, 2012 10:27 PM ET
     
 

MARSHALL, Minn. (AP)

Brad Bigler, the men's basketball coach at Southwest Minnesota State University, was in critical condition Sunday after a two-vehicle crash in western Minnesota that killed his 5-month-old son and injured two other relatives.

IN MEMORIAM

We remember those who died in the sports world in 2012.

Bigler, 33, was hospitalized in Sioux Falls, SD, with several broken ribs and a broken shoulder blade, SMSU athletic director Chris Hmielewski said. Drake Phillip Bigler, the coach's young son, was killed in the crash.

''Obviously it's a tragedy when you lose a young family member,'' Hmielewski told the Independent of Marshall. ''The thoughts and prayers of the entire Mustang family and everybody should go out to the Bigler family as they cope with this situation.''

Bigler has been head coach of the SMSU men's basketball program for three years. The Mustangs finished 19-11 last season, winning the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament championship and making their third-ever appearance in the Division II tournament.

Bigler's wife, Heather Bigler, was driving in Pope County on Saturday evening when a truck driven by a 38-year-old Starbuck man crossed the center line and struck her vehicle, the Minnesota State Patrol said.

All four people in Bigler's vehicle were hurt. Heather Bigler suffered minor injuries, and her 74-year-old grandmother, Sharon Schuler of Granite Falls, was left in critical condition, authorities said.


Get more college basketball news and features from Scout.com or check out your favorite team.

The State Patrol said alcohol was detected in the Starbuck man's system, and is suspected as a factor in the crash.

State records show that the driver had been convicted of gross misdemeanor drunken driving in 2005 and for driving under the influence in 2000, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. In both cases, the man's blood-alcohol content was greater than 0.20, or 2½ times the legal limit in Minnesota.

He also has convictions for reckless driving and speeding.

Before becoming head coach at the university in Marshall, Minn., Bigler previously served as an assistant coach at the school and played for the Mustangs for five seasons.

Hmielewski said the Bigler family sent him a text message early Sunday saying Brad Bigler's condition had improved overnight and that he was awake and coherent.

The crash marked the second tragedy for the Bigler family in just more than a year. Brad Bigler's mother, Diane Bigler-Hagenow, died last summer in a kayaking accident near Sacred Heart.

''We're going to surround the Bigler family with all the love and support they need, and we encourage everyone to do the same,'' Hmielewski said.

Tagged: Minnesota

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA BK Videos

Wiggins debuts with dunk Posted: Jun 20, 2013
Andrew Wiggins starts his college career off right with a dunk in a KU summer ga...

Enfield's expectations for USC Posted: Jun 04, 2013
USC's Andy Enfield talks about throwing out the first pitch at the Angels game a...

Kansas lands top recruit Posted: May 14, 2013
Reid Forgrave on Kansas landing top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Find out if he think...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/885881/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_885000/ff_885881_xl.jpg&w=100 74.95 Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black
    Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Georgetown_Hoyas/browse/featuredproduct/1030243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1030000/ff_1030243_xl.jpg&w=100 119.95 Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue
    Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/1032710/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1032000/ff_1032710_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue
    Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oregon_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/1052002/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052002_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/1052645/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052645_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Indiana_Hoosiers/browse/featuredproduct/1124528/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1124000/ff_1124528_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Cri..
    adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Louisville_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/1127200/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127200_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/1127218/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127218_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey ..
    Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Gonzaga_Bulldogs/browse/featuredproduct/1155821/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1155000/ff_1155821_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue
    Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions Adjustable Hat – Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Hurricanes/browse/featuredproduct/1177723/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1177000/ff_1177723_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Cham..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft