On Monday, January 6th, Snow College announced the death of one of the softball players. Snow put out an announcement stating, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of one of our softball players. Paige Rydalch, a sophomore from Stockton, Utah, was traveling south on SR-132 and was involved in a two-car accident.”
When Rob Nielson, former softball coach and Snow College Vice President for External Affairs heard the news, he said, “This has shocked and saddened our softball family. We know Paige, and we love her. She was a dedicated player who always put in the extra mile. She made others feel loved and had a work ethic like no other.”
Staff of the Snow College Athletics Department contacted the College’s Public Safety to report a missing student when Paige was not at practice that morning and were later notified by family of the death. Snow College President Stacee McIff expressed sympathy. “A tragedy like this impacts all of us. We are grieving the loss of a beloved young woman. We will do all we can to support Paige’s coaches, teammates, classmates, and family during this difficult time,” she said.
Kathryn Christensen, former Snow student said this in reference to Paige, “I am grateful that I got a little piece of Paige’s light in my life.” Teammates, fellow students, and those who did not have the pleasure of meeting Paige gathered in remembrance of her life at Snow College. Close friends and teammates recounted that “to know Paige, was to love Paige.”
As a student, Paige had big plans for her life and often soothed teammate fears by saying, “it’s okay, we’ll figure it out together.”
The Badger softball team will dedicate their upcoming season in remembrance of their friend and teammate Paige, to “honor the way she lived her life on and off the field.”