UC Davis and the city of Davis on Sunday extended their condolences to the family of Scott Heinig, a Davis resident, UC Davis alumnus and onetime Aggie baseball team captain who died Sunday following a head injury. Heinig sustained the injury at a private house party in Davis following the campus’s annual Picnic Day open house.

Heinig, 22, died around 12:18 p.m., on Sunday, April 17, at the UC Davis Medical Center. Details on the cause of death and events leading up to it were not available Sunday night. The Davis Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident “and believe that alcohol may have been a factor,” according to a release the department issued late Sunday. Davis police are not releasing any further details because of the ongoing investigation.

City of Davis police said officers responded to a downtown party at 8:37 p.m. at 1018 Fifth St., where Heinig had suffered a head injury. He was rushed to the Sacramento hospital and treated for his injuries.

Heinig played for the Aggies before earning a bachelor's degree in economics in 2010, and his mother, M. Jane Heinig, a UC Davis alumna, works on campus as an academic administrator for the Department of Nutrition.

“It is our deepest regret this unexpected and tragic death occurred,” city officials said in a statement released late Sunday. “We are saddened that the Davis community has lost one of its own young people on Picnic Day.”

Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi said she was saddened to learn of Heinig's death. "Losing someone at such a young age who was so full of promise is a tragedy," Katehi said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time," she added.

UC Davis head coach Rex Peters said the baseball team had postponed a scheduled game on Sunday against Cal State Bakersfield when they learned of Heinig's injury.

Hours later, when Peters learned of Heinig's death, the coach praised the young man's character. "Scott was elected a team captain his senior season, which speaks to how well respected he was by his teammates and to his work ethic and positive attitude," Peters said. "He had an infectious smile and put his teammates in front of himself."

"This tragedy not only touches UC Davis, but also Davis High School and the entire community," the coach added. "Our heartfelt prayers go out to the Heinig family."

Fred Wood, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, said he was deeply grieved and was struggling with the news of the death of Heinig, whom Wood met as a coach in community youth baseball about a decade ago. Wood said the student counseling center would be reaching out and offering support to the baseball team and other students impacted by this tragic death.

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