Stonehill College women's soccer team prays at the Lourdes Grotto on campus on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018., during a prayer service for student Marc Tarabocchia of New Jersey, who died suddenly Tuesday morning. (Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise) ▲ Stonehill junior and football player Marc Tarabocchia unexpectedly died on campus, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Stonehill College photo) ▲ Stonehill junior and football player Marc Tarabocchia unexpectedly died on campus, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Facebook photo) ▲ Stonehill junior and football player Marc Tarabocchia unexpectedly died on campus, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Stonehill College photo) ▲

Marc Tarabocchia, a junior offensive lineman from Ramsey, New Jersey, died on campus from an apparent suicide in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney's office said.

EASTON — The sudden, predawn death of a Stonehill College football player, seemingly at the football stadium where he suited up in Skyhawk colors, left the campus reeling Tuesday.

Marc Tarabocchia, a junior offensive lineman from Ramsey, New Jersey, died on campus from an apparent suicide in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney's office told The Enterprise.

Tarabocchia was 20 years old.

"Losing a member of our campus community is heartbreaking, but there is additional pain when it is someone young and filled with potential," college spokesman Martin McGovern said. "This is a very difficult day for our community. At this sad time, our focus is on supporting one another and offering our prayers for the student and their family and friends."

In a statement, Stonehill football coach Eli Gardner called Tarabocchia a "good friend" to everyone in the football program.

"I would like to send my deepest sympathies and prayers to Marc's family," Gardner said. "I will remember Marc as a caring and smart individual."

Stonehill College Police Department responded to W.B. Mason Stadium, the football venue visible from Route 138, around 3:30 a.m. Officers quickly closed down the sports complex area and called the Easton Fire Department to the scene for a medical emergency.

The sports complex reopened at about 10 a.m., the Stonehill College Police Department tweeted this morning. The school canceled the women's tennis, soccer and volleyball games scheduled for today.

The investigation is ongoing, Bristol County District Attorney spokesman Gregg Miliote said.

"We're fairly confident it's an apparent suicide, but the investigation is ongoing," Miliote said.

College officials have reached out to the student's family, McGovern said, and support for Stonehill students will be made available through both Campus Ministry and Counseling Services.

Hundreds of students and college staff took part in a prayer service Tuesday afternoon at the campus chapel.

Erin Gagin, a Stonehill student who attended the vigil, told The Enterprise said she worked with Tarabocchia a day earlier on a group project in class.

"He seemed kind of quiet," she said. "And I'm just kicking myself because I should have talked to him."

Gagin said many students have begun sharing words on social media with the hashtag #stONEhill, emphasizing the "one" and offering support for any fellow students who needed it.

Cassie Ponder, a freshman from East Bridgewater, said the college has informed students of counseling services.

"Even though I didn't know him personally, knowing that someone I probably pass every day on campus is no longer here is really eye-opening," Ponder said.

Tarabocchia was a 2016 graduate of Ramsey High School in Ramsey, New Jersey. He lettered in football, wrestling and track, and earned high honors all four years.

His former high school track coach called Tarabocchia a "tremendous young man."

"He always had a positive spirit about him, always had a smile on his face," Matt Wynne told the Bergen Record. "Whatever he could do to help the team, he would do as much as he could."

He still holds the shot put record at Ramsey High School, Wynne said, and was always a role model for younger athletes.

At Stonehill, where he studied accounting, he played in one football game this season and was on the college and conference honor roll last season.

Tarabocchia earned the nickname "Bear" for his strength — he is listed on the football roster as 6-foot-4, 300 pounds.

"The entire Stonehill community is deeply saddened by the passing of Marc Tarabocchia," Stonehill athletic director Dean O'Keefe said in a statement. "We send our most sincere condolences to Marc's family, friends and loved ones, his fellow students and teammates during this difficult time."

He is survived by his parents, Anthony and Angie, and two younger siblings, Tyler and Dylan.

Memories of Tarabocchia poured in on social media, remembering a strong, kind friend and teammate.

"It was a pleasure to play football with you, but a much much greater one to know you as a person," tweeted Tim Carbonneau, a 2018 Stonehill graduate and football teammate. "You'll always be remembered Marc and your brothers will always love you. If you ever need to talk to someone, do not hesitate to reach out, don't ever feel like you're alone."