Though there is no undoing the overwhelm of loss, the spirited community members within the William Floyd School District have nevertheless rallied together to find positivity in the face of devastation, and in short order.
No word has been spared, and even more charitable actions have been shared in memory of William Floyd’s Darrell Sumpter, and in support of his family. The boys’ varsity assistant basketball coach passed away in a motor vehicle crash on Sunrise Highway on Friday. He was just 51 years old.
By weekend’s end, the GoFundMe page created by Darrell's son, Dejiah, in honor of the Sumpter patriarch—and to cover the burden of funeral expenses—had nearly met the entirety of its initial $60,000 goal sum.
According to the fluid log of participants featured on the page, the five-figure amount of funds raised is the product of 650-plus donators—a testament to the impact Darrell had on the Mastic-Shirley community in which he too nobly lived before tragically perishing.
Sumpter served as assistant basketball coach for boys’ varsity hoops at William Floyd High School since 2015. He volunteered throughout the community for many years before that as well. The WFSD youth basketball program and official booster club would not be where they are today without Sumpter’s instrumental efforts.
“Today we unexpectedly lost the man who made a lot of people’s world go round- my dad. We are completely heartbroken,” Dejiah wrote in the GoFundMe profile summary.
After commending the “outpour of support” for his siblings and mother, and noting the daunting hardship of funeral planning and “rehoming of our mama,” Dejiah continued to reflect on the legacy of his late father. “Coach D gave us his all, he deserves a proper goodbye. On behalf of his family and basketball family, thank you all so much.”
In a statement released to the community, the William Floyd School District noted that “colleagues, fellow coaches and social workers” met with the boys’ and girls' teams mere hours after the passing of one of their leaders on and off the court to deliver the most unfortunate news.
“We will continue to have grief and crisis counselors available for any students who may need them,” the district wrote.“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Sumpter’s family, friends, and all of the student-athletes who loved and cared for him.”
The link to Darrell Sumpter’s GoFundMe will be indefinitely accessible on The South Shore Press’ X account: @sspnewsroom.
Rest in peace, Coach Sumpter. Our hearts go out to your family, friends and community.