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Updates from Thursday, April 24

Henry K. Lee of the San Francisco Gate reported on Agu's cause of death:

A Cal football player who collapsed in February during a training run outside Memorial Stadium died of a heart condition that has been a common cause of sudden deaths among athletes, authorities said Wednesday. Ted Agu, 21, died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or excessive thickening of the heart muscle, according to the Alameda County coroner's office. The ailment has killed many young athletes, including basketball players Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis.

Original Text

California Golden Bears defensive lineman Ted Agu passed away on Friday morning. He was 21.

Jeff Faraudo of the Contra Costa Times reports his death was confirmed by the school's football program in an email sent to players' parents:

Faraudo states two sources provided word that Agu collapsed during conditioning and passed away at a local hospital:

Al Saracevic of the San Francisco Chronicle passed along a statement from the Cal athletic department that sent prayers to Agu's family and friends. The department also said it will provide counseling services to those in need.

The statement included remarks from head football coach Sonny Dykes and athletics director Sandy Barbour.

Dykes talked about how Agu had gained the respect from his teammates:

This is a very difficult time for our football family. Ted was a remarkable young man and a member of this family who was highly respected and loved by his teammates and coaching staff. He had an incredible passion for life and will be deeply missed.

Barbour said the school will work together to get through the tragedy:

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Ted's family. This is a very painful time for the entire Cal family; in the days and weeks ahead, my focus will be on providing every member of our community the support and information they need to get through this time. I would ask that media please respect and understand how this tragedy is impacting Ted's family, his teammates, friends and the members of our campus community. We will get through this together.

Jim Mora offered his sympathies as well:

The statement also noted the athletic department will provide further details about the situation when they become available.

Cal's Women's basketball team Tweeted their tribute to Agu:

Agu had just completed his junior season with the Golden Bears after a redshirt campaign in 2010. The reserve lineman racked up six total tackles. It's clear from Dykes' comments that the upperclassman made an impact in the locker room.

He also excelled in other areas. His biography on the California Golden Bears' official site notes he also played basketball and participated in track and field during high school. He was also an honor-roll student during that time, compiling a 3.28 grade-point average last fall and was named the top academic player on the basketball team twice.

No further information about the situation was immediately released.