Knightdale man dies after college track tryout

Officials said at a news conference Friday afternoon that Jospin "Andre" Milandu, 20, a sophomore, collapsed during a workout during which no athletic trainer was present – a violation of university policy.

University officials said an internal investigation is under way into the circumstances surrounding his death.

In a statement earlier Friday, officials had said Milandu had been at a "supervised, voluntary track team open tryout on the campus."

He was taken to Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, where he was pronounced dead, Chancellor Harold Martin said.

Family members said Milandu had been running track for years and ran while he was a student at Knightdale High School.

"That was his passion from the moment he tried it," his brother, Isaac Milandu, 13, said Friday. "He knew that was his passion."

"He was just stuck on track," friend T. J. Petty said.

He had dreams of being an Olympic athlete, sister Ferline Milandu, 18, said.

"It's sad that he died trying to live his dream," she said. "He was so fresh and young and finally getting to experience life."

Family members said heat was not a factor in their brother's death and that he had no known medical conditions.

A&T is planning a memorial and prayer service for 2 p.m. Monday behind the Memorial Student Union.

"(Jospin Milandu) leaves a remarkable legacy of friendship, love and Aggie pride that will forever remain with each life that he touched," said Wayne Kimball, president of A&T's Student Government Association, in a letter to the university.