Spring Break
Student dies after collapsing in Wilson
Aalok Modi stricken Thursday night during IM basketball game
By: David Graham
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
Last update: 2/15/08 at 4:54 PM EST
Last update: 2/15/08 at 4:54 PM EST
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Modi collapsed around 9:45 p.m. during an intramural basketball game in Wilson Recreation Center and was taken to Duke University Hospital emergency room. He died at about 11 p.m.
At the hospital shortly after midnight, Modi's friends and acquaintances came to pay respects.
Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta, who was at the hospital, said the cause of death was not yet known and that there was no obvious reason for the collapse.
Junior Xiaoyu Wang, a member of Modi's basketball team, said in a telephone interview that he had just subbed into the game for Modi when the incident happened.
"I high-fived him when he was getting off the court, and I looked in his eyes, and he was panting a little, but that's normal in an IM game," Wang said. "We kept playing, and we didn't think anything of it. It was not more than two or three seconds when we were down the court, and I think someone shouted or someone blew a whistle and we all ran over. As soon as he got out of the game he basically collapsed. He was on the ground, and he was having [what seemed] like a seizure."
Modi had played the first half of the game without any indications of trouble.
Wang said a bystander attended to Modi until professionals arrived. He added that Duke University Police Department, Duke Emergency Medical Services and professional EMS all responded.
Modi was a chemistry major and premedical student from Pickerington, Ohio, according to his Facebook profile.
Moneta said the University had notified Modi's parents and was preparing a response plan with Modi's friends. Staff from Counseling and Psychological Services will be on call to assist students with grief, and plans for commemoration will be worked out in a few days, he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 27
Marci Truex
posted 2/15/08 @ 10:39 AM EST
We are truly shocked and saddenly by Alok's passing. He was a brilliant student and athlete with so much promise. Our condolenses go out to his friends and family as they are all in our thoughts and prayers!
Marci Truex, Pickerington North HS
Marti Holcomb
posted 2/15/08 @ 11:55 AM EST
I am truly saddened by the passing of Alok. He was such a joy in class and always added that spark that kept the conversation interesting. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. (Continued…)
Deepak Raval
posted 2/15/08 @ 2:22 PM EST
Oh my God! This is a shock!
I came to know Aalok through our youth group. He displayed inner strength with high morals, high character and high academic pursuits. (Continued…)
Mike Erchenbrecher
posted 2/15/08 @ 2:29 PM EST
Aalok was such an interesting and interested young man. A great and curious mind has been taken from us, but the memory of him will last. Such potential will be sorely missed. (Continued…)
Ralph Litzinger
posted 2/15/08 @ 6:44 PM EST
I am truly saddened by the passing of Aalok. He was in my Introduction to Cultural Anthropology class last semester, and enrolled in my graduate seminar this semester. (Continued…)
Vibha & Kirit Parikh
posted 2/16/08 @ 8:34 AM EST
We met Aalok some 15 years ago at his Columbus home. Even at that young age he impressed us as a very intelligent and extremely polite individual. He certainly was on his way to make a name for himself and make his parents and grandparents proud. (Continued…)
manju parikh
posted 2/16/08 @ 10:00 AM EST
My son Amar Parikh, a Junior as well, and a good friend of Alok's shared the same dorm. He introduced me to Alok on a short visit from NJ and I gave Alok a ride to a nearby Target store during one of my visits and we chatted up a storm. (Continued…)
Rajesh and Swati Khatri
posted 2/16/08 @ 11:10 AM EST
It has been a shock after hearing about Aalok. I have fond memory of playing ping pog with him when he was little. From the very begining, we established a deep inner connection with family. (Continued…)
Mayank & Vandana
posted 2/16/08 @ 2:28 PM EST
We all are deeply sadden and shocked after learning that Alok Modi, oldest son of our friends Shishir and Nina, has passed away at a young and promissing age. (Continued…)
Meenakshi Chivukula
posted 2/16/08 @ 3:49 PM EST
I am deeply saddened by the news of Alok's passing. I met Alok as an upperclassman when he was a freshman, and we were together in an Asian and African Languages and Literature course, Indian Cinema. (Continued…)
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