HS hosts visitation for late ND recruit
April 9, 2010
CINCINNATI (AP)—The president of a Cincinnati high school mourning thedeath of a Notre Dame football recruit who died in a fall from a hotel balconycalls the teen a “gentle giant” who always had a kind word.
Four hours of public visitation for Matt James began Friday afternoon at St.Xavier High School, where the 17-year-old was a senior. School personnel sayhundreds of mourners waited in line for hours to pay respects to the 6-foot-8,290-pound offensive lineman.
James died a week ago while on spring break in Panama City Beach, Fla.Police say he was drunk when he leaned over a fifth-floor railing and fell. Hewas scheduled to enroll at Notre Dame in June.
His funeral is Saturday.
St. Xavier president Tim Howe says counselors will be on hand when studentsreturn from break Monday.
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