Sandberg, Pitt assistant wrestling coach, dies

David Sandberg, a graduate assistant wrestling coach for the Panthers and former wrestler at… David Sandberg, a graduate assistant wrestling coach for the Panthers and former wrestler at Pitt, died early Wednesday morning after being admitted to UPMC Montefiore Hospital Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Allegheny County Coroner’s Office, the cause of death is still under investigation although reports indicate Sandberg died of a bacterial blood infection.

“It is terrible when a young person dies,” vice chancellor for public affairs Robert Hill said in a statement released Thursday. “Our hearts and sympathy go out to all of David’s family and friends.”

A native of Spokane, Wash., 23-year-old Sandberg attended North Central High, where he was one of the school’s top all-around athletes. Along with being a member of the football team and competing in the shot put, Sandberg compiled a 132-14 career wrestling record.

“My heart’s ripped out, stomped on and run over by a steamroller,” former North Central wrestling coach Randy Cloke told The Spokesman-Review in Washington on Wednesday. “I called him my ‘Big Lug.’ I thank God He brought David into my life.”

Sandberg went on to wrestle for North Idaho College, completing his degree in two years and earning NJCAA All-American honors as the national runner-up at 197 pounds in 2000.

“I can’t say enough good about him and how much he’ll be missed,” North Idaho coach Pat Whitcomb said. “He is one of the hardest workers to come through here. He’s the kind of guy that you want your kids to grow up like.”

Sandberg compiled a 47-25 record during his two years at Pitt, including a 20-10 mark in dual meets, and did not miss a dual meet. This was Sandberg’s first season as an assistant coach.

According to Whitcomb, Sandberg became sick Tuesday and was helped by a trainer to Montefiore. Because of a high fever, the decision was made to keep him there overnight as a precautionary measure.

Reports say that Sandberg’s infection was believed to be caused by meningococcal bacteria, which can cause meningitis. However, he did not have meningitis.

Whitcomb ruled out the possibility that Sandberg could have picked up the infection from unclean wrestling equipment.

“You could run into a staph infection or herpes virus, but you couldn’t pick something like meningitis off the mat,” he said. “If you had asked me about this six months or a year ago, I would have said the same thing. He’ll be missed dearly out here.”

Born Sept. 8, 1979, Sandberg was the son of Lane and Shery Sandberg. He was also the nephew of Ryne Sandberg, a former second baseman for the Chicago Cubs.