Claflin University is reeling from heartbreak after losing one of its own. On Sunday, October 26, 2025, 21-year-old Savion Brown, a senior computer science major originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, collapsed while playing basketball in the campus gym and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
School officials say Brown was engaged in a game of basketball with fellow students at the university recreation center when he unexpectedly fell to the floor. Emergency medical teams arrived swiftly, initiating life-saving efforts before transporting him to MUSC Health Orangeburg, but he was declared deceased shortly after arrival. The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office officially identified him and confirmed an autopsy will take place this week to determine what triggered the collapse. Authorities have not disclosed any known medical conditions, and there is no indication of foul play.
In a statement released by Claflin University that evening, administrators expressed profound sorrow and sympathy. Brown was remembered as a talented, hard-working student whose presence enriched campus life. “His presence will be greatly missed,” the university said, asking the community to hold his loved ones in their thoughts during this unimaginable loss. To support the campus, grief counseling was made available through TimelyCare with resources both on-campus and remotely, and staff were urged to treat students with compassion and flexibility as they process the news.
Friends, classmates, and faculty took to social media in the hours following the tragedy to share their memories of Brown. He was widely described as warm, encouraging, and generous—someone who made others laugh and inspired them to push harder. One classmate wrote, “He was the type of person who could make anyone laugh and push others to do their best,” capturing the blend of light and drive he brought to every setting. Plans are underway for a campus memorial, to be coordinated with his family.
While the university and local authorities await more detailed medical findings, the sense of shock and grief remains palpable across campus. Leaders have reassured students that resources are in place and encouraged everyone to lean on one another during this time of collective mourning. The Claflin community stands united in honoring the memory of a promising young life gone too soon.