Jan. 12, 2009

Pepperdine Mourns Death of Patrick Rooney

Former Pepperdine standout Patrick Rooney and his father, Bill, were killed Sunday morning in a plane crash outside Steamboat Springs, Colo.

The single-engine turboprop left Yampa Valley Regional Airport but crashed about a mile north of the runway.

Rooney, 26, was a four-year starter at third base for the Waves from 2002-05. He was an honorable mention freshman All-American in 2002 and was honorable mention All-West Coast Conference as a sophomore. He helped lead Pepperdine to a pair of league titles in 2004 and 2005 and three NCAA Regional appearances.

Rooney earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising from Pepperdine in 2005 and worked in construction operations for WP Electric & Communications, Inc., based in Yorba Linda, Calif. His father was president of the company.

Rooney is survived by his wife, Erynn, son, Will, mother, Debi, and brothers Sean and Colin. Colin recently transferred to Pepperdine after two seasons at Saddleback College.