CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — A man who fell to his death while climbing at Rock Park in Castle Rock on Tuesday has been identified as a former Michigan State University baseball player.
The Douglas County Coroner's Office confirmed Friday the victim was 27-year-old Matt Byars. Michigan State University shared its condolences in a statement posted on its website.
About 8 p.m. Tuesday, Castle Rock Fire and Rescue crews responded to the park on Front Street just off Interstate 25, according to a Facebook post from the town government. Multiple witnesses reported that they had seen someone fall while climbing.
Byars did not survive the fall and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to town officials.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Byars family," said Michigan State head coach Jake Boss Jr. "Matt was a joy to coach and his big personality was a huge part of our program both on and off the field. We're heartbroken at his passing due to a tragic rock climbing accident in Colorado."
Byars was from Lodi, Wisconsin, and played two years of baseball at Heartland Community College in Illinois before transferring to Michigan State.
He played catcher and received the team's Danny Litwhiler Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 after throwing out 12 runners during the season and leading the Big Ten with 11 doubles in conference play.
He was taken in the 24th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins with the 723rd overall pick, but returned for his senior season in 2017.
That year, he started 47 games and once again led the Big Ten with 14 doubles in conference play. He also threw out 12 baserunners, fourth in the Big Ten that season.
Castle Rock Police are investigating the incident.
The park was fully open to visitors on Wednesday.
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