The Faulkner University family is deeply saddened to report the sudden passing of men's soccer student-athlete Yuri dos Santos Vasconcelos, who was killed during a tragic accident in Lakeland, Fla. Monday.
Vasconcelos, 24, joined the Faulkner soccer program in January after transferring from Eastern Oklahoma State. He wasted little time ingratiating himself to his teammates and coaches, quickly building relationships through a magnetic personality that has left a lasting impression on those that knew him.

"Yuri had the desire, the passion and the energy that are rare to find nowadays in players. When I was recruiting him, I told him that I needed him to be this guy, to shake things up, cheer our boys, locker room, pre-game, and he took that job right away," Faulkner men's soccer head coach Gabi De Queiroz said. "As a human being, Yuri had a big heart. Maturity and temperament to deal with anything. He would stop by my office every week to talk about football, marriage, life, and football again. A man that every coach wants to have around his team, and a friend that everyone should have."

Vasconcelos made relationships beyond the soccer programs, allowing his affinity for photography and people to blend in his efforts to document other Faulkner athletic events through the lens of his camera. A native of Palmeira dos Indios, Brazil, Vasconcelos was playing soccer over the summer for Lakeland United FC.

"Yuri embodied and symbolized everything we strive to be as a club; he was loving, caring, courageous and compassionate. He was altruistic to the point of living a life fully dedicated to his family, friends and teammates.
He was a leader in spirit and had an optimism that can only be perceived in those who have already evolved past beyond this life," Lakeland United FC posted via its official Instagram account. "Yuri fulfilled his purpose through his everyday actions and will always be remembered by his contagious smile and his hunger for living and accomplishing not only his dreams, but that of those who he dearly loved and cared for."

"We extend our deepest condolences to Yuri's family and we are grateful for the time that he was a member of our Faulkner family," Hal Wynn, Faulkner athletic director said. "We are working to assist with the needs of our student-athletes and connect them with the ministerial and counseling resources they may need in this time."

Given the  complications that lie ahead for Yuri's family, Lakeland United FC has established a GoFundMe page to assist the Vasconcelos family. Information regarding that is available at the club's Instagram account.