SCSU gymnast who died after fall lives on through organ donations
MILFORD — Her positive attitude, willingness to help others and the ability to push herself to accomplish more are what those who knew Melanie Coleman will remember.
And now her organs will go on offering life to others in need.
In a statement to WTNHTV, where a family member works, the family of the Milford gymnast, who died Sunday following a fall from the uneven bars during a training session, wrote: “We are confident that her spirit, laughter, and humor will live on through the ones who loved her most, as well as through the gift of life to those who needed it most through organ donation.”
Meanwhile, more than $58,000 has been contributed by some 1,300 people to a GoFundMe page set up to help the Coleman family.
“We are humbled by the outpouring support from our Milford community (our small town with a big heart) and beyond. She will be sadly and deeply missed by all those who crossed paths with her. The family asks for privacy during this time of healing,” the Coleman family statement read.
Coleman was a threetime AllState selection and captain of the 2017 Jonathan Law High School gymnastic team. She took her skills to Southern Connecticut State University where she was a junior performing on their team and studying nursing.
As an SCSU freshman in 201718 Coleman joined her older sister, Tiffany, on the SCSU gymnastics team. The two competed together until Tiffany’s graduation in June, according to Jay Moran, the school’s athletic director.
Moran said Coleman was honored by USA Gymnastics as an AllAmerican Scholar Athlete and also by the Womens Collegiate Gymnastics Association as a Scholastic All American last year.
She sustained the injury that ultimately led to her death when she fell Friday during a routine training exercise on the uneven bars at the New Era Gym, officials at Southern Connecticut State University disclosed. She was treated at the scene by her coach, who is certified in CPR as required by the SCSU Athletic Department, and by emergency personnel who were summoned to the scene through a call to 911.
Coleman trained at New Era for 10 years before entering college. Southern Connecticut State University has contracted with New Era since 2003 to use its facilities for practice.
The 20yearold died Sunday at YaleNew Haven Hospital.
Coleman, one of five siblings, was a junior majoring in nursing at SCSU and had said she was hoping to follow her two older sisters in that profession.
While at Law, she received the MVP award and was selected by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Gymnastic Association to participate with other state gymnasts in the senior showcase in Estero, Fla. The Connecticut team finished first in the event.
“She made AllState and SCC three times while she was here,” said Vincent Sarullo, Law’s athletic director. “She was also the captain of our outdoor track team.”
Sarullo said what made Coleman stand out was her personality.
“She was always upbeat — the kind of kid you wanted to be around,” he said. “Anyone you talk to who knew her would tell you she was among the best kids to come out of this school.”