Southern grappling with sudden death of beloved volunteer, Dr. Debra Fountain. 'We are going to miss her dearly'

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Southern coach Dawson Odums struggled to keep his voice from breaking as he answered questions following his team’s 47-40 win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.

It had been a difficult 24 hours, he said. His team was about to return to Baton Rouge short one beloved member. Dr. Debra Fountain, née Brown, Southern’s unofficial team psychologist, died in Southern’s team hotel Friday afternoon.

Fountain was 63. The crowd at War Memorial Stadium observed a moment of silence midway through the contest to pay respects.

“It’s been very difficult,” Odums said. “I think there have been some challenges mentally. I can’t really say where they were mentally today. It’s been difficult for me, but I’ve been trying to be strong for them and be there for them.”

It happened after Southern returned from a team walkthrough Friday at War Memorial Stadium. Fountain was found unresponsive at Southern’s team hotel. Paramedics rushed her to the nearby University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital but were unable to revive her.

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