[Vision2020] An 'All-American Kid' Is Mourned

[Tom]

A special thanks to Carl Westberg for finding this article.

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An 'All-American Kid' Is Mourned (from the Los Angeles Times)

Friends remember Idaho's Eric McMillan, 19, from Murrieta Valley High, who died 
after being shot.

By Howie Stalwick, Special to The Times

MOSCOW, Idaho — People often struggle to find words to describe a person who 
died young, but people at Murrieta Valley High in Southern California, and at 
the University of Idaho spoke at length Tuesday about their admiration for Eric 
McMillan.

McMillan, a redshirt freshman cornerback on the Idaho football team, died here 
early Monday, after he'd been shot at his off-campus apartment late Sunday 
afternoon.

McMillan, who was a starter for the 0-3 Vandals and had played in Saturday 
night's 49-8 loss at Washington State, was 19.

"He always had a smile," said Wally Clark, McMillan's coach at Murrieta 
Valley. "He never knew an enemy. He was an all-American kid."

"He was a great kid," said Nick Holt, USC's linebacker coach before replacing 
current UCLA offensive coordinator Tom Cable as head coach at Idaho after last 
season. "He had a great personality. He was fun to be around. Smart."

It is expected that murder charges will be filed as early as today against two 
Seattle brothers. Matthew R. Wells, 27, and James J. Wells, 25, are being held 
on $75,000 bail in jail at Colfax, Wash.

They were arrested Sunday night after a 150-mile chase had ended in central 
Washington.

Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear said police had told him there appeared to be 
no connection between the Wells brothers and McMillan.

Holt said he was unaware of any motive.

Clark said McMillan had been popular on and off the field at Murrieta Valley 
and had earned a 3.5 grade-point average in high school, overcoming a difficult 
upbringing to become a person students at the school "used as a yardstick."

Clark said Murrieta Valley teachers and coaches often sent McMillan gifts and e-
mails at Idaho.

Teachers, coaches, school secretaries, parents of former teammates and pastors 
from McMillan's church gathered Monday morning at Clark's home after news of 
McMillan's death reached Murrieta.

Memorial services, football helmet stickers and a moment of silence at the next 
game are planned at Idaho and Murrieta Valley as tributes.

Clark said McMillan's No. 12 jersey might be retired at Murrieta Valley.

"If someone needed a son," Clark said, "they'd pick Eric McMillan." 




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