HARRISBURG, Pa. - Members of Penn State University's lacrosse team,
coaches and the school's athletic director will attend the Rhode Island
funeral for the family of a teammate who died in a Saturday plane crash,
school officials said.
Michael Jacober and the Penn State lacrosse team were playing a home
game Saturday in State College when the turboprop plane piloted by
Jacober's father, Jeffrey, crashed on its approach to the nearby
airport, killing all six on board.
More than 40 players, coaches and school officials, including Tim
Curley, Penn State's athletic director, plan to attend the Jacobers'
funeral Wednesday in Providence, school officials said. The funeral was
scheduled for 11 a.m. at Temple Beth El.
"When you're on a team, you're one big family," said Bob Krimmel, an
assistant athletic director. "So when someone gets hurt like this, ... I
think everyone stretches their arms around and tries to embrace the
individual."
Michael Jacober, 21, is a senior and co-captain on the team. Through
Krimmel, players and coaches declined interviews.
Jeffrey Jacober, 51, his wife Karen, 49, and their 15-year-old son Eric,
of Providence, were en route from a Florida vacation to State College to
watch Michael's game.
Also killed in the crash were Gregg Weingeroff, 49; his wife, Dawn, 42,
and their 10-year-old son, Leland, also of Providence. Their funeral was
scheduled Thursday at 1 p.m., also at Temple Beth El. Both families were
known for their charitable work and involvement in the Jewish community.
Cameras will not be allowed inside during the services, a spokeswoman
for the temple said.
It is still unclear what caused the crash.
Jacober made no mention of mechanical failure in his radio
communications with flight controllers, investigators have said. Local
officials have speculated that icing might have contributed to the
crash; temperatures hovered just above freezing when the plane went down.
Autopsies were completed last night and the wreckage was being removed
today, officials said. The victims' bodies were expected to be returned
to Rhode Island shortly.
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