ST. LOUIS – Those at McKendree University are mourning the loss of one of their own Thursday.
The school’s water polo coach, 34-year-old Colleen Lischwe, was killed in a crash on Interstate 44 early Wednesday morning.
“She was one of those people that bleeds purple,” Director of McKendree Athletics Anthony Francis said. “She was charismatic and caring and loving. She was such a hammer, a go-getter, and hardworking. She just had this unique personality that fit what we did as a department and institution.”
Lischwe was named head coach of the women’s water polo team in 2017 and took on the same spot for the men’s team the following year—the only female head coach of a men’s NCAA water polo program.
“She had it,” Francis said. “She’s knowledgeable about what she does. When she talks, people listen. She’s educated and played at a high level. She understands the game and cares about people. When you factor in all those things, it’s easy to follow her.”
In the McKendree University sports hall of fame are a series of gold plaques honoring outstanding individuals with ties to the university, where maybe one day Colleen Lischwe’s name will join.
“As a coach who started this program and built it to what it’s become and built us into the conversation nationally, I look forward to the day when they bring her name to the committee, and we can vote on that,” Francis added.
A statement from the university reads, in part:
“McKendree University is deeply saddened by the passing of Collen Lischwe, head coach of our men’s and women’s water polo teams. Colleen was a beloved member of the McKendree community, known for her unwavering dedication to her student-athletes and commitment to fostering an environment of growth, excellence, and leadership.
The University offers its deepest condolences to the family of Coach Lischwe during this incredibly difficult time.”
USA Water Polo, the national governing body for water polo in America, shared the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of McKendree University Head Water Polo Coach and longtime USA Water Polo ODP Coach Colleen Lischwe. A Missouri Water Polo Hall of Fame inductee, she was a beloved member of the water polo community, and our thoughts are with her family, friends, and athletes during this difficult time.”
The crash happened around 6 a.m. Wednesday on I-44 near Vandeventer Avenue. Investigators say, based on preliminary findings, the crash happened after a semi-driver failed to stop and slammed into the back of a Prius.
SLMPD says the driver of the semi-truck made several statements acknowledging that he looked down to pick up a drink, then saw a Prius when he looked back up.
On Thursday, SLMPD spokesperson Mitch McCoy said investigators are working to obtain and review data from the Prius struck by the semi-truck, which could determine if there was some sort of mechanical issue with the Prius or slow-moving traffic leading up to the crash.
Investigators are also working to determine whether conditions on the highway were snowy or icy and may have factored into the collision.
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