Former College Football Player Dies After Falling Off Catwalk at Aragon Ballroom

The Hanover Park man fell onto pieces of protruding metal, police said

A 24-year-old suburban man, who was a former college football player, has died after falling off a catwalk during a rock concert at a popular Chicago venue.

Police say Kyle W. Kirchhoff, of Hanover Park, fell onto pieces of protruding metal around 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Aragon Ballroom, located at 1106 W. Lawrence during a performance by the band Chevelle.

Police and the Cook County medical examiner's office say Kirchhoff suffered two chest wounds. He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later at Weiss Memorial Hospital.

Kirchhoff was an alumnus of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he was a defensive lineman for the football team for four years, according to a statement from the college. School officials say he was known for "his friendly smile and support of his fellow students."

Kirchhoff received a degree in sports management, and after he graduated in 2013 he became an assistant coach at his alma mater, Bartlett High School.

"Kyle was a true Duhawk," Loras College Director of Athletics Denise Udelhofen said. "As an alumnus, he stayed connected to the athletic department and most dear to his heart was Duhawk football."

Chevelle cut short the performance at the North Side Chicago venue as first-responders attended to Kirchhoff. The musicians later expressed concern for the victim in a Facebook posting.

"To our fans at the Chicago show: We are very sorry we had to end the show early. Due to a serious injury in the crowd the fire marshal was forced to cancel the rest of the show. We hope that whoever was injured makes a swift recovery," the band said in the Facebook post.

The medical examiner's office says an autopsy Saturday did not reveal an immediate cause and manner of death. An investigation was pending.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us