The Texas Tech community is mourning the loss of two students, who died just days apart.
Quinton “Quinn” Noel, 23, died January 31. Noel, a senior, was co-captain of the Texas Tech Men’s rugby team.
Mark Mitchell, 20, a sophomore accounting major, died February 2.
Both men were from The Woodlands. Their deaths are not believed to be connected.
Flags on campus were lowered Monday for Noel, and plans were made to lower the flags for Mitchell on Wednesday.
“A lot of people were really emotional in that room when we got together,” said rugby coach Phil Terrigno, when the team was informed of Noel’s passing.
“We’ll miss him and everything he brought,” Terrigno said. “I really rely on experienced players, and Quinn was really exemplary because he was a great role model for the younger players.”
The team practiced Tuesday, for the first time since Noel’s death.
“It’s definitely been tough,” said co-captain Bobby Flinn. “We’ve had tremendous support from the university and from friends and family and the rugby community as a whole.”
Police said there was no evidence of foul play relating to Noel’s death, or any indications that his death was suspicious.
Mitchell, was remembered by friends as the ultimate Red Raider fan.
“He loved Texas Tech,” said friend John Lanty. “Just lived and breathed red and black. I just think it’s nice and proud of this campus of what they’re doing for him. He would have loved it a lot.”
Mitchell was a community advisor for one of the student dorms on campus, and was the accounting director for the Tech Marketing Association.
“You knew he was in the room, all 6’6” of him,” Lanty added. “He was hard to miss. Just very infectious.”
“You could talk to him for 5 minutes and you felt like you knew him your entire life,” Lanty said.
“You couldn’t have asked for a better friend,” Lanty mentioned. “His friend’s successes were his successes and he was just a good friend.”
Texas Tech released a statement on Tuesday regarding the passing of both men.
“Any loss of life is saddening and tragic, especially the passing of a student. Our thoughts and sympathies are extended to the friends and families of Quinton and Mark,” a university spokesperson said.
