Marquette Community Mourns Two Lacrosse Players Lost in Tragic Accident

In a heartbreaking tragedy that has shaken the Marquette University community, two promising young men’s lacrosse players—Noah Snyder and Scott Michaud—lost their lives in a car crash near the university’s Milwaukee campus on Friday night. The accident has left teammates, coaches, families, and the entire university in mourning as they grapple with the sudden loss of these beloved student-athletes. Marquette president Kimo Ah Yun expressed the community’s grief in a statement, saying, “Noah and Scott’s lives were taken too soon and we share in the heartbreak of their teammates, coaches and those who knew them personally.” The sense of loss is particularly profound among the tight-knit athletic community, where both young men had made significant positive impressions during their time at the university.

Both sophomores, Snyder and Michaud were not only dedicated athletes but also exemplary students who had already distinguished themselves academically. Snyder, a 20-year-old attackman from Irving, New York, was pursuing his studies in the college of business administration. Michaud, a 19-year-old goalie from Springboro, Ohio, was majoring in biomedical sciences, indicating his aspirations in the medical field. Their commitment to excellence extended beyond the playing field—both had been named to the Big East Conference’s All-Academic Team in their freshman year for maintaining GPAs above 3.0, demonstrating the balance they struck between athletic and academic pursuits. Their achievements reflect the values that Marquette University strives to instill in its students: dedication, hard work, and intellectual curiosity alongside athletic excellence.

The accident occurred when a 41-year-old driver collided with a vehicle containing six Marquette lacrosse team members. While Snyder and Michaud tragically did not survive the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene, the other four teammates received medical treatment either at the crash site or at local hospitals. The Milwaukee Police Department has indicated that an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is ongoing, with potential criminal charges pending review by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. The driver of the other vehicle has not been publicly identified as the investigation continues, leaving many questions unanswered for a community seeking closure amid their grief.

The impact of this tragedy extends far beyond the immediate families of the victims, affecting teammates who have lost not just fellow players but close friends with whom they shared the unique bond formed through athletic competition and daily practice. For young college athletes who often spend more time with teammates than anyone else, such a loss creates a profound void. Coaches who mentored these young men must now guide the remaining team members through their grief while processing their own. The university faces the challenge of supporting a community in mourning while helping students continue their educational journeys despite this devastating interruption to campus life. Such tragedies remind us of the fragility of life and the particular poignancy when promising young lives are cut short.

In the aftermath of the accident, the Marquette community has begun the difficult process of remembering and honoring Snyder and Michaud. Their dual identities as students and athletes exemplify the ideal of the student-athlete: young people who pursue excellence in multiple arenas simultaneously. Their academic achievements speak to their discipline and intelligence, while their contributions to the lacrosse program reflect their athletic talent and team spirit. For families who sent their sons to Marquette with dreams of graduation, career success, and continued athletic achievement, this loss is immeasurable. The university community now faces the challenge of finding appropriate ways to commemorate these young men while supporting those who knew them best through the grieving process.

As the investigation continues and the university community begins to process this tremendous loss, the focus remains on supporting those most affected—the families of Snyder and Michaud, their teammates, coaches, and friends. President Ah Yun’s call for prayers reflects the university’s Jesuit tradition of turning to faith in times of crisis while acknowledging the need for communal support during tragedy. The sports community at Marquette and throughout collegiate athletics will undoubtedly find ways to honor these fallen players in the coming season. While no memorial can fully address the grief of losing these young men, their legacy will continue through the memories of those who knew them and the impact they had during their brief but meaningful time at Marquette University. As the campus community comes together in mourning, they also celebrate the lives of two young men who embodied the values and promise of student-athletes at their best.