UPDATE: Information on funeral services can be found here


VESTAL, N.Y. - The campus is saddened to learn of the accidental drowning death of Binghamton University student-athlete Calistus Anyichie (pronounced uh-NEE-chee), 19, who was entering his sophomore year at Binghamton. Originally from Nigeria, Anyichie was a member of the men's basketball team and was majoring in political science.
 
"A talented young person has been tragically taken from us," said President Harvey Stenger. "This is a heartbreaking loss for our community. We will do all that we can to be there for his family, for the team and everyone who knew Calistus."
 
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Calistus," Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott, said. "Calistus was a bright and engaging young man with an infectious smile. He loved his academic studies at Binghamton and embodied the exceptional spirit of being a student-athlete at our University. This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, teammates and fellow student-athletes."
 
For those in need of counseling services, the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team, along with the University Counseling Center (UCC), can offer support. Students who would like to speak to someone should reach out to the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team by calling 607-777-2804. The UCC can be reached by calling 607-777-2772. To reach someone after hours or for emergencies, students should call 911 or the UCC after-hours counselor by calling 607-777-2772 and selecting #2.
 
Faculty and staff seeking assistance should contact the Employee Assistance Program at 607-777-6655 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. An off-campus coordinator can be reached after hours by calling the 24-hour EAP call line at 1-800-822-0244.

Additional Information

"There are no words ... ," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "There is no blueprint for how to deal with such a painful loss. We all loved Calistus so much. He was such a special young man. We are devastated." 

Anyichie played in 32 games as a freshman and averaged 1.9 points and 2.1 rebounds. He played a key role in BU's upset of Stony Brook in the America East quarterfinals with seven rebounds, four points and a block in 26 minutes. Anyichie also tallied 10 points and seven rebounds against Albany on Feb. 2. He was a scholar-athlete at St. Mary's of the Assumption High School in Short Hills, N.J. A team captain and three-year letterwinner, Anyichie was a National Honor Society member who was recognized as one of the state's top scholar-athletes by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Association. He loved to read and had career aspirations to become a diplomat.