Former Wheaton College Football Teammates Die in Lake Michigan Drowning Tragedy

Two former college football teammates lost their lives in a tragic drowning accident in Lake Michigan over the weekend, leaving family members, friends, and the Wheaton College football community mourning their deaths.

Authorities identified the victims as 26-year-old Jalen Shaffer of Ada, Michigan, and 24-year-old Philip LoChirco of Warrenville, Illinois. Both men were former football players at Wheaton College and were attending a gathering with friends Saturday when the tragedy occurred.

According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened shortly after 1 p.m. in the Pigeon Lake Channel of Lake Michigan in Port Sheldon Township, located just south of Grand Haven.

Investigators said LoChirco began experiencing difficulties while in the water. Several people entered the water in an attempt to help him. During the rescue effort, Shaffer also began struggling in the water.

First responders were able to pull both men from the channel and immediately began life-saving measures. Despite those efforts, both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The deaths have deeply impacted the Wheaton College football program, where both men played and built lasting friendships.

Wheaton head football coach Jesse Scott released a statement Tuesday honoring the former players.

“They were more than former players,” Scott said. “They were brothers, teammates, and friends whose lives left a lasting impact on Wheaton football.”

Scott praised both men for their commitment on and off the field, adding that they exemplified the values of the football program through their faith, leadership, and dedication to others.

Shaffer, a linebacker, played four seasons over five years for Wheaton after graduating from NorthPointe Christian High School. During his collegiate career, he earned both all-region and all-conference honors as a senior before graduating in 2022.

LoChirco, a defensive lineman, appeared in three seasons across four years with the program and graduated from Wheaton in 2023.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for the two former teammates, whose bond extended far beyond the football field.

Their deaths serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that can exist in open water, even during recreational gatherings among friends. The Wheaton College community now remembers Shaffer and LoChirco not only for their athletic accomplishments but also for the impact they made on those around them.