SMU's Mann dies unexpectedly a week after graduation

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jun 9, 2007

Jordan Mann, a member of SMU's 2005 NCAA Men's College Cup team, died unexpectedly May 26 at his home in Prairie Village, Kan.

Mann, who had graduated from SMU a week earlier with a degree in finance, died of apparent natural causes according to the Prairie Village Police Department, pending an autopsy.

Mann starred at Shawnee Mission East High School and for the Kansas City Legends and played at Furman for two seasons before before transferring to SMU in 2005.

Mann played for the Mustangs 18 games in 2005 and 16 in 2006. SMU coach Schellas Hyndman returned from a trip to Brazil for the memorial service for Mann.

"The SMU soccer family is deeply saddened by [his] passing," Hyndman said in a statement to the Daily Campus. "He was a fine, outstanding young man. His memory will be cherished, and our heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."

Mann was the third SMU student to die in May. An initial autopsy was inconclusive. Mann's family hoped further studies on his heart could help solve the mystery of his death. His grandfather specializes in studying sudden deaths by athletes.