Penn State RHC President dies in car accident

**umroller** · 01-21-2002, 09:41 PM

ECRHA News Room January 21, 2002
ECRHA Special Press Release
(A special report on the Williamsport tragedy)

A somber mood was set as Amy, Anna, and Betsy Yoder presented a sad but beautiful acapella trio of ?On Eagles Wings? just prior to singing the National Anthem at the opening of the ECRHA Division I All Star Game, in Williamsport, PA. This event marked the 5th birthday of the ECRHA, and what was supposed to have been a celebration and festive event highlighted by three special featured games and an award ceremony and dedication to the four founders of the ECRHA. Instead, the town and the event was suffocated by a peaceful yet uninvited snowstorm that will be remembered for the pain and suffering that it wreaked on the lives of so many people; it left 3 ECRHA Penn State players hospitalized, one of whom would not survive his injuries.

On the way to their 11:15 am game against West Chester University, PSU Roller Hockey President and Senior Ron Dax (age 22), Senior defenseman Bill Willett (age 21), and Freshman forward Rane Kocan (age 19) were all in the same vehicle traveling on Route 220 to Williamsport. The trio was following behind other PSU players attending the game. At 11:00am, teammate Steve Kupka asked the Event Directors if the game could be held up for a few minutes out of fear that a few players had not arrived and may have been in an accident. Other players from the team feared that from their rearview mirror, they might have seen Willett's vehicle spin out of control on the highway. The game was delayed about 15 minutes, while Steve Kupka sought to get in touch with the players. It was suggested that the State Troopers be called to check on any reports of an accident matching the description of Willett's car. The game against WSU eventually was played, without the arrival of the three teammates. A phone call came during the game, and confirmed that Willett, Dax, and Kocan had indeed been in an accident and had been taken to Jersey Shore Hospital just outside of Williamsport. Thus began the nightmare.

Apparently the vehicle with the three players, a Ford Escort, was traveling north on Rt 220 at the Pine Creek Interchange. It veered across the icy right lane into the guardrail, returned to the left lane and was the struck by a large oil truck on the passenger side toward the back of the car. Willett was driving, Dax was in the passenger seat, and Kocan was in the back, possibly asleep. Hockey bags occupied the passenger side back seat and trunk where it is alleged that the tanker hit the car. All three players were taken to the hospital where no information was released to their teammates or the league. ECRHA Chairman Breitel comments, ?It was very scary that the hospital would not release information. They just demanded the contact information for the families. Instinctively, we knew it was serious and my heart sank as I worried about the three injured players and watched the team struggle with what they would do. We were all hours from home and the storm outside was worsening. It was frightening. One of our staff members, Tara Plew, is also the PSU Roller Hockey Faculty Advisor and close friend of the players so she immediately accompanied some teammates to the hospital to see if she could help and get information.?

The next few hours of the event were difficult to get through. The snow just kept coming peacefully, and the phone just kept ringing with players saying they were still coming or checking to see if the games were still on. Many players were traveling hundreds of miles just for the honor of playing in the special games and festivities. Players were coming from Ohio, upstate New York, Maryland, Delaware, etc, some only for a one-hour game, with no necessity to attend, except for their passion for the game and love of this league. The members of the Penn State teams, as well as other friends, went to the hospital and kept in touch with family and the league throughout the day.

PSU did not return to the event to play in any more games, as they stood vigil at the hospital awaiting information. In the next few hours, it was learned that Bill Willett was going to be released with minor injuries and that Rane Kocan would be ok and released in a few days, suffering from a concussion, contusions, and a bruise on the heart. No word on when Ron Dax, who was in the most serious condition, would be released. With members of the Dax and Mulnar family finally in touch and arriving, information that Dax would be transported by vehicle to Hershey Medical Center was released.

Back at the ECRHA event, the games continued with much concern from the players. People wanted to do all they could to try to help in any way, or just support the family, Penn State team, and staff still trying to move on with the event. Everyone was trying to pull together to get through the event. It was a difficult time, but the games went on.

It should be commended that all four Pennsylvania State University All-Stars participated in the DI All-Star Game at 6:30pm, 7 hours after the accident with still little information about the condition of Ron Dax. Brunk, Hahey, Bhatla, and McCormick all participated in the Featured Game and one was overheard saying, ?It is what the team and Dax would have wanted?.

Later that evening, Ron Dax was being transported to Hershey Medical Center when the ambulance diverted to Williamsport Hospital just 10 miles from the games due to Dax?s deteriorating condition. Ron Dax was pronounced dead from trauma to the head and chest and other internal injuries. The phone call came to the league in the middle of the Staff Game, and just prior to the DII All-Star Game.

On Sunday, the ECRHA cancelled the remaining games of the event due to the loss of their beloved Penn State player and friend Ron Dax, as well as in the interest of safety of the participants and staff driving back home in the storm.

Games will be rescheduled at a later time. A recap and stats for the Williamsport event will be released later in the week as Part II to the weekend story.

It is unimaginable the loss and pain that the Dax and Mulnar family are suffering, as well as other family and friends of Ron Dax. We are glad that Bill Willett and Rane Kocan are safe and look forward to their return to the ECRHA. The ECRHA will dedicate a place on the website as a memorial to Ron Dax as well as a place for anyone to make a tribute, a statement that may bring about any healing, or just something that they would want the world to know and remember of Ron.

Arrangements are as follows:

A Memorial Fund has been set up by Penn State; Ron Dax Roller Hockey Fund. Please make donations to: Penn State Development Office. 105 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802. Make donations out to Penn State, Memo line: Ron Dax Roller Hockey fund.

Viewing: Wednesday, January 23rd, 2:00pm-4:00pm, and 7:00pm-9:00pm. Delvin Funeral Home. 806 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229.

Funeral: Thursday January 24th. St. Sebastian?s, 307 Siebert Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Additional Links:

http://www.clubs.psu.edu/rollerhockey click on NEWS

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive...02dnews-01.asp

Special Thank you to our dedicated Staff member and PSU Roller Hockey Faculty Advisor Tara Plew.

Rest In Peace, Special Angel Ron Dax.

ON EAGLES WINGS

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in His shadow for life-
say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I Trust!"

And He will raise you up on eagles wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun-
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day.
Under His wings, your refuge-
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagles wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun-
and hold you in the palm of his hand.

For to His angels He's given a command
to guard you in all of your ways.
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagles wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn-
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

And hold you...
and hold you...
and hold you, hold you in the palm of His hand.

http://members.aol.com/umroller/images/benecrha.jpg

**umroller** · 01-21-2002, 09:43 PM

Please review the following information and do what you can:

A Memorial Fund has been set up by Penn State; Ron Dax Roller Hockey Fund. Please make donations to: Penn State Development Office. 105 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802. Make donations out to Penn State, Memo line: Ron Dax Roller Hockey fund.

Viewing: Wednesday, January 23rd, 2:00pm-4:00pm, and 7:00pm-9:00pm. Delvin Funeral Home. 806 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229.

Funeral: Thursday January 24th. St. Sebastian?s, 307 Siebert Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Additional Links:

http://www.clubs.psu.edu/rollerhockey click on NEWS

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive...02dnews-01.asp

Special Thank you to our dedicated Staff member and PSU Roller Hockey Faculty Advisor Tara Plew.

Rest In Peace, Special Angel Ron Dax.

http://members.aol.com/umroller/images/benecrha.jpg

**EMANON** · 01-22-2002, 02:59 AM

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the friends of this special person. Ron was a great guy and his memories are with all of us because of the person he was. God bless the family in this time of mourning.

**Titan55** · 01-22-2002, 10:48 PM

Although I did not know Ron, I am sure he was a great ambassador for the game, and more importantly, a great person. My heart felt sympathies, and condolences go out to his family and friends. My prayers are with Ron.

Remember the good times, and he will always be with you in spirit!

I send my prayers!

Phil Christie, Ontario Hyper Titans #24

**poptart79** · 01-22-2002, 11:13 PM

Our sympothy goes out to Ron Dax family, friends, and the ECRHA.....

MemberTeams of the ACRHA(Atlantic Collegiate Roller Hockey Assosiation)

**flyersindc** · 01-22-2002, 11:37 PM

On behalf of Major League Roller Hockey and the Capital Crunch, our hearts go out to the family and friends of Ron Dax. You are all in our prayers.

Jim McNulty