OSU band alumnus collapses, dies during reunion practice

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

An alumnus of the Ohio State University marching band collapsed during practice for the group’s annual reunion appearance and later died.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that 65-year-old Bill Werner Sr., a retired school principal from Sandusky, had just joined the more than 600 alumni at Ohio Stadium in a run-through of their ramp entrance for Saturday’s game when he collapsed of an apparent heart attack.

Numerous cardiologists among alumni gave Werner immediate attention, but he couldn’t be revived. He was pronounced dead soon afterward at OSU Wexner Medical Center.

The newspaper reports the death stunned band alumni who had just learned of the death of former director Jonathan Woods, who also died Saturday. Woods led the band for 28 years before retiring four years ago.