Two former Wheaton College football players drown in Lake Michigan

Two former Wheaton College football players drowned in Lake Michigan Saturday in Western Michigan.

According to the Ottawa County sheriff’s office in Michigan, the pair were with a larger group of people near a pier on the Pigeon Lake Channel leading to Lake Michigan around 1:15 p.m. when one of the men jumped into the water and began to struggle. Others jumped in to rescue the man and another began struggling in the water.

Emergency crews were able to locate both men, but life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.

Jalen Shaffer, 26, and Philip LoChirco, 24, were both pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Shaffer played four seasons for Wheaton College and graduated in 2022, according to college officials. LoChirco played three seasons and graduated in 2023.

LoChirco is listed as a Warrenville resident who was an assistant football coach at Wheaton Academy in West Chicago.

Shaffer was living in Ada, Michigan, at the time of his death, according to reports. He had recently helped coach a high school football team in downstate Plano.

“They were more than former players in our program — they were brothers, teammates and friends whose lives left a lasting impact on Wheaton football,” said Jesse Scott, Wheaton College’s head football coach. “Both Jalen and Phil were great examples of what it means to be Wheaton football players: Men who pursued excellence in what they did on and off the field, but more importantly, men who wanted others to know and love Jesus and who were fiercely committed to their faith.”

Wheaton Academy Athletic Director Brad Byrne said LoChirco leaves behind a wife, Emily.

“This is a devastating loss for our football family and our Wheaton Academy community,” Byrne said. “Coach LoChirco had a real impact on our students, not just as players, but as young men. He showed up every day with energy and joy. His smile and his laugh lifted people up, and our players knew he cared about them.”