Updated October 12
TEMPE, Arizona, October 11. FORMER Arizona State University swimmer James Rigg was pronounced dead at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center on the ASU Tempe campus after pool hours early Monday morning. Rigg and a friend had gained unauthorized entry into the facility after it was closed. The Maricopa County Coroner ruled his death an accidental drowning. After being pulled from the water, the Tempe Fire Department arrived and was unable to resuscitate Rigg.
Rigg was 22 years old, majoring in Electrical Engineering at Arizona State and expected to graduate in December. He is survived by his younger brother and sister Scott and Lauren, and his mother and father Laura and John.
Born on February 17, 1989 in San Diego, California, Rigg and his family moved to Niwot, Colorado when he was five years old. James attended Fairview High School in Boulder and then University of Wyoming, where he was a member of the swim team.
Rigg transferred to Arizona State in the summer of 2009, where he swam sprint butterfly and backstroke. He was recognized by the coaches and his teammates as a phenomenal underwater athlete, which helped him excel in his races. He was also a talented musician, and was sought after by numerous engineering firms post-graduation.
"I only had the pleasure of coaching James for a few short years, but in that time I saw a young man develop that knew how to squeeze the most out of life. James was a true Sun Devil," said Simon Percy, former ASU Sun Devil swim coach.
A remembrance memorial will be held on Wednesday, October 12 at 5 pm at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in the Sun Devil Room. Friends and teammates of Rigg and his family are welcome to come and show their support.
The family requests that any donations be sent to the Dan's Fund.