Linfield Basketball Player Killed in Car Wreck

In the wake of the team tragedy, the Linfield women's basketball team has cancelled Friday's season opening game at Cascade College.

(McMINNVILLE) - Counselors and staff at Linfield College are meeting with students and faculty after learning that Linfield College student Chelsea Peterson (Fr., Hockinson, Wash.) died early Sunday morning in a single car accident near Newberg.

"She was a young lady with great spirit and determination," said Robyn Stewart, women's basketball coach at Linfield. "She always had a smile on her face and was encouraging and positive to her teammates. She had a bright future as a basketball player."

Peterson was a four-year basketball team captain and two-time first team all-Trico League center at Hockinson. She was a forward and center on the Wildcat team.

She lettered eight times in basketball, volleyball and track at Hockinson High School in Washington State.

The women's basketball team will honor Peterson at their home opener this Saturday, Nov. 18th, at 7:00 PM against Oregon Institute of Technology and will dedicate the 2006-07 season to her.

Counselors from the counseling center, chaplain's office and student services have been meeting with students, faculty and staff since college officials received word of the accident, according to Dave Hansen, vice president for student services and dean of students.

"In a short time, she made some significant connections and contributions at Linfield College," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Chelsea's family, teammates, coaches, hall mates and friends.

"Our primary concern is to make sure that the campus community has the support it needs to deal with this tragedy," Hansen said. "Staff and counselors met with coaches and members of the basketball team, the sorority and her residence hall to provide any assistance that is needed."

In addition, counselors will be available to anyone in the college community in the coming days and weeks, he added. College officials are providing the family with any assistance they request.

Hansen said that a memorial service will probably be held on campus, but that will depend upon the wishes of Peterson's family.

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Brianna February 5, 2013 3:40 pm (Pacific time)

She will be missed its hard to think she is really gone but i know she is up there having a great time playing the favorite game she loves which is basketball I love you chelsea and i did know her i went to school with her i graduated in 2008 she was an amazing girl she even helped me how to play volleyball :)

Brianna February 5, 2013 3:39 pm (Pacific time)

She will be missed its hard to think she is really gone but i know she is up there having a great time playing the favorite game she loves which is basketball I love you chelsea

Greg September 16, 2009 2:40 pm (Pacific time)

I was a close friend of Chelseas and I havce to say, Chelsea was the most beautiful hearted person i have ever met. I will never forget her. I have her initials tattooed on my chest just to make sure =).

natasha strode January 12, 2008 6:24 pm (Pacific time)

i myself have never met chelsea but i know for a fact that she was a good person and that she is in a better place. I hope that one day i will be able to meet her...

chelsea Sanford August 21, 2007 6:00 pm (Pacific time)

I am a student of chelseas mom. I never met chelsea but mrs.peterson talked about her often. I wish to have met her but i no i will in the future

geoff January 9, 2007 10:32 am (Pacific time)

i do not beleive the death of my cousin had anything to do with drugs or alchohol she made it a point to stay away from them. anyone who belives that had somehting to do with did not know chlsea at all. i love you chels rip

Anonymous November 27, 2006 6:03 pm (Pacific time)

Who ever wrote about the drinking that goes on at Linfield, I am sure had their reasons for writing it, but all colleges have kids that will drink and be crazy. I don't believe Chelsea was drinking and driving, she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time and as painful as it is she lost her life in a tragic way not because she was drinking and driving. God Bless her parents that have to read these comments. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. I have kids that go to Linfield that knew her and she was a great friend to all of her classmates and teammates as well. She will be missed deeply.

Anonymous November 17, 2006 11:53 pm (Pacific time)

In response to a previous comment, this accident was in no way in relation to drinking, Chelsea was an amazing individual who chose to live her life without the influence of drugs or alcohol. She has definitely left her mark on all that have known her and will be loved and missed by all.

Anonymous November 16, 2006 1:09 am (Pacific time)

We love you Chelsea. You were our friend and teammate, a bond not everyone understands. We will always remember your smiling face.

Anonymous November 14, 2006 10:49 pm (Pacific time)

Chelsea was a inspirational person full of positive energy. She will be missed by everyone who's lives she touched. We love you Chels.

Anonymous November 13, 2006 10:24 pm (Pacific time)

I hope this was not related to the drinking and drug environment that Linfield continues to foster with the on-campus party scene. Saturday night I saw Linfield frat students leaving the grocery with hundreds of dollars in beer. If so, it is time that parents demand the college provide on-campus police rather than a rent-a-cop service.

Anonymous November 13, 2006 7:01 pm (Pacific time)

She will be missed by everyone and she was a basketball star RIP. U left to soon Chelsea.

Anonymous November 13, 2006 1:12 pm (Pacific time)

God took Chelsea, a basketball star, too soon. RIP!

Kurt Huckee November 13, 2006 1:12 pm (Pacific time)

Condolence to all that mourn Chelsea. Life is so short and painful, why do people create problems that in the end are meaningless? Soon we all will be dead, no one escapes. All lost life is tragic. We do not expect the young to die but they do. Our expectations of the young make death even more painful.

Anonymous November 13, 2006 1:11 pm (Pacific time)

She will be missed.

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