CV NEWS FEED // A 17-year-old Kansas teen who was planning to enter Benedictine College in the fall tragically died in a head-on collision on July 22.
According to local outlet KMBC News, Caleb James Stricker of Atchison, Kansas, crashed into a semi truck when his car crossed into a lane of oncoming traffic on a highway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Stricker was reportedly planning to attend Benedictine College in Atchison in the fall, where he had committed to play on the football team.
Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis told CatholicVote by email that his “biggest regret is that we didn’t get to really know Caleb and didn’t get to see him grow as a leader.”
“Caleb was committed to excellence, as he was willing to move here before other players reported to get to know his teammates and work out to get better,” Minnis said. “Caleb was also committed to his country and prepared to serve this great country of ours. Losing a young man like Caleb with greatness ahead of him is a real tragedy.
“We will always count Caleb in the Raven Family because as we say: ‘Once a Raven, Always a Raven,’” Minnis added.
Both the college and the football team also expressed sadness at Stricker’s sudden death in separate statements on X.
“The Benedictine College community is saddened by the sudden loss of Caleb Stricker, an incoming freshman who died today in the Atchison area,” Benedictine College posted. “Please pray for the repose of his soul and keep the family in your prayers during this very tragic time.”
The football team echoed the college’s statement, posting:
Absolutely devastated. Caleb has impacted so many members of our community since he arrived here in June. We will miss him dearly. Please keep Caleb’s family and friends in your prayers.
The college announced via an Instagram story on July 23 that the Benedictine College community will begin praying the “Litany of the Faithful Departed” for Caleb on July 25, accessible through a special campaign created by the college on the Hallow app.
