Story courtesy of Western Carolina sports information
Cullowhee, N.C. ? The Western Carolina family was saddened on Sunday to learn of the death of former student-athlete and assistant coach, Jarrett Foster, who was serving as an assistant coach at Clemson. Foster died Saturday evening (July 8) after suffering head injuries in a jet skiing accident on Lake Keowee near Seneca, S.C.
Details of a memorial service will be announced at a later time.
“Jarrett was a vital part of Western Carolina’s movement in men’s track and field to the top of the Southern Conference first as an athlete, then as an assistant coach,” said Western Carolina head coach Danny Williamson. “Not only was he an outstanding coach, but more so, he was an outstanding person. Even when me moved on to progress his coaching career at Clemson, he always stayed in touch and supported our program.”
“Teammates, friends, coaching members of the track & field coaching fraternity and family will deeply miss his smiling face and the high level of energy that Jarrett brought with him every day. The Western Carolina Track and Field program, the Athletic Department and the entire Catamount Family sends many prayers and thoughts to the Foster family and also to the Clemson Track and Field program.”
Foster, 32, was a three-year letter winner and an All-Southern Conference performer in the pole vault on the Catamount track and field team in the mid-90s. He was chosen as both the team captain and MVP his senior season in 1995, earning his bachelor's degree in parks and recreation management.
Following his graduation, Foster stayed in Cullowhee and served as an assistant coach for Williamson for three seasons before accepting an assistant position at Clemson, completing his master's degree in education at WCU in 1997. While with the Catamounts, Foster was responsible for the throws, pole vault, high jump and multi-events. Over the three years, Western claimed five Southern Conference team championships ? three for the women's team and two for the men. Foster help develop three SoCon Freshmen of the Year and 28 SoCon individual champions, including two Southern Conference MVPs.
With the Tigers, Foster coached 12 All-Americans, 40 NCAA qualifiers, 23 ACC Champions and 55 All-ACC selections. During his time as an assistant coach, Clemson had five top 20 team finishes and won six team ACC Championships.