WESTFIELD STATE MOURNS THE DEATH
OF FIELD HOCKEY STUDENT ATHLETE SHANNA LITTERST

WESTFIELD, MA, March 7, 2007 - The Westfield State College community is saddened by the death of student and athlete Shanna Litterst, 21, of Falmouth, Massachusetts.  She died in a one-car accident in Centerville early Sunday morning.

The college's Interfaith Center has scheduled a memorial mass at 4:30 p.m. today, March 7, in Savignano Auditorium A in Wilson Hall. The Rev. John Dean, Catholic chaplain, will lead the Mass, open to all, and members of the field hockey team will speak.

A senior biology major, Litterst was a star athlete at the college. After playing basketball as a freshman, she focused on field hockey and her abilities earned statewide honors.  She was named Rookie of the Year for both the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and the regional Little East Conference. She was an all-conference player in each of the past three seasons.  

Litterst ranks third on Westfield State's all-time scoring list with 90 points (35 goals and 20 assists).

"The entire Westfield State College community is deeply saddened by this tragedy," said Richard Lenfest Jr., Westfield State's director of athletics. "Our hearts and prayers are with the Litterst family, Shanna's teammates, coaches, and friends during this difficult time.  Shanna was a very talented student-athlete who always represented herself in a first class manner on and off the playing field."

The college's Counseling Center and Athletics Department have been active in offering support for teammates and others who were close to Litterst.  The Counseling Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for members of the campus community needing help.

Litterst was with Pamela Hamlyn, 22, of South Dennis and a student at Plymouth State College, when Hamlyn's vehicle slid off Route 28 and down an embankment, catching fire at about 1 a.m. Both women died at the scene. Barnstable Police are investigating the accident.

She was the daughter of Rich and Mimi Litterst. Funeral arrangements, under the direction of Chapman, Cole & Gleason in Falmouth, are pending.