JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Former Carson-Newman men's soccer midfielder and Redditch United Football Club player Tom Rankin passed away suddenly Saturday evening. The native of Birmingham, England was 26.
A three-year player with the Reds of Redditch United, Rankin played at Carson-Newman in 2017 and 2018.
"We're just devastated to hear about the loss of Tom," Carson-Newman head men's soccer coach Stephen Lyons said. "He was a top player, but more importantly he was a top man. Our thoughts go out to his family, his friends and his teammates, both past and present."
Rankin appeared in 25 games in his two seasons on the banks of Mossy Creek, scoring a goal against Queens in 2017 and another against North Greenville in 2018.
He had an assist against Coker in 2018 as well.
Affectionately known as Ranks, he is survived by his parents, Wendy and Bob.
Carson-Newman's men's soccer team will sport shirts in his honor when it takes the field on Friday in a spring scrimmage against Cumberland.
