Army women's basketball coach Maggie Dixon, who led the Black Knights to their NCAA tournament debut last month, has died. She was 28.
Jim O'Connell, a spokesman for the Westchester County medical examiner's office, confirmed that Dixon died Thursday at 3:10 p.m. EDT. An autopsy was scheduled for Friday.
Dixon was hospitalized in critical condition Thursday after suffering an "arrhythmic episode to her heart" Wednesday at the U.S. Military Academy, said her older brother, Pittsburgh men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon.
Dixon said his sister collapsed and was taken to the intensive care unit of Westchester Medical Center.
"She ... went to the house of a friend for afternoon tea where she said she wasn't feeling good and she collapsed," said Dixon, who read a prepared statement from the hospital.
He said he had breakfast with his sister earlier Wednesday and that she had apparently been feeling well.
Army gave Dixon her first head coaching job last October. Six months later, she led the team to its first bid in the women's field. The rookie coach's accomplishment gained extra attention because her brother led the Panthers to the men's tournament at the same time.
The Dixons are believed to be the first brother and sister to coach in the NCAA tournament in the same year.
Army lost to No. 6 Tennessee in the first round of the tournament, 102-54.
The North Hollywood, Calif., native had hoped to play in the WNBA after graduating in 1999 from the University of San Diego. But the Los Angeles Sparks cut her after a tryout in May 2000. She went into coaching with encouragement from her brother.
"He said, 'If you want to do this coaching thing, do something drastic,"' Dixon told The Associated Press last month. "That's what I did."
She held a number of positions under DePaul coach Doug Bruno after walking into his office and introducing herself. She eventually became his top assistant in May 2004.
Members of her team were with Dixon's family members at her bedside Thursday.
Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press
Even though I did not get to know you..I can only imagine the great things u have done and My GOD have Mercy on your soul. Death is only a right of passage to a better place
Teoana Britt
August 18, 2010 | Oaklanfd, CA
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
August 08, 2010
For Maggie... Army women's basketball coach who led the Black Knights to their NCAA tournament debut.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence...
April 03, 2010
Maggie, I often find myself thinking about you and the last time we spoke. You are thought of often and sorely missed. God Bless
Sam
June 21, 2009
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Gladys Demson
April 10, 2009 | Omaha, NE
maggie.....your story has been an inspiration to me. The kind of person people want to be like. On your 3rd anniversary, you are remembered today and always. God bless.
casey mckeon
April 06, 2009 | Northbridge, MA
Hey Mags! Happy St. Patty's Day! I'm pullin for Jamie big time! Let the madness begin!
March 18, 2009
I already had a message posted last April 2006, and the thought of Coach Maggie came out of nowhere, but pretty sure it was from Heaven. I served in the US Army for 21 years.. so in a way, you were really my coach. Goodbye again!
Albert Nuqui
January 12, 2009 | Santa Ana, CA
The smile and positive energy you give off in the clip when your team carried you off the court is priceless. My daughter and son love the clip. They are 15 and 13 and learned a tough lesson in life- sometimes bad things happen to very good people. We've tried to stress the celebration of her life and success after a brief period of mourning. To the Dixon family, Maggie's inspiration will be eternal. God Bless.
Jeffrey Nowling
December 04, 2008 | Byram, NJ