Elyria schools mourning death of high school student Brian 'B.J.' Todd

An Elyria High School student who died overnight was remembered Thursday as a smart and hardworking member of its sports teams whose death saddened everyone who knew him. In a letter to Elyria schools families, district Communications Director Amy Higgins wrote "with deep sadness" of the death of Brian "B.J." Todd, a student and athlete in Elyria High School's Early College Program. His cause of death was not included in the letter. B.J., 16, was a junior at the high school, Higgins said. "B.J.'s family, who has asked for privacy in their grief, is communicating directly with the administration of Elyria High School," Higgins wrote. "B.J. was an accomplished athlete with the Elyria Pioneers, and beloved by his teammates, coaches, and his school family. His loss is profound." B.J. was a member of the football and basketball teams. Boys basketball head coach Brett Larrick said B.J. worked hard because he "wanted to be the best on the football field and on the basketball court." "B.J. was just, what an incredible kid," he said. "Just an awesome person. Very quiet, but one of the hardest workers you'd ever meet and one of the best team guys you'd ever have. He was a guy you'd always want on your side, on your team. He meant so much to our guys, our coaches, just a great person." The Pioneers boys basketball team was "very fortunate" to have B.J. on the squad, Larrick said. "He will be very hard to replace," his coach said. "Man, what an incredible kid. Bright. Just extremely hardworking. It's a very sad day for our whole Pioneer family." Counselors were available to students and staff at Elyria High School on Thursday "and will be available to students and staff in the coming days," Higgins wrote. "The staffs of Early College and the Lorain County Community College are lending services to students and staff in need, as well." "We send our deepest sympathy and love to (B.J.'s) family, friends, and all who knew him," she wrote. "We will continue to support our students and staff with counseling services, but please reach out to your school principal or counselor if your student is in need of additional resources." Larrick said the thoughts and prayers of the basketball program, its students and coaches were with B.J.'s family on Thursday. "We spent a lot of time together today as a program in school and the only thoughts we had are thinking about him and his family and keeping them in our prayers," he said. "You won't find one person to say a bad thing about B.J. Opposing coaches, fans, players, our opponents, the whole conference is hurting because of the type of person he was." Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.