University of Virginia assistant coach Tyler Fenwick wrote an emotional tribute to Ben Kredich, the son of head coach Matt Kredich, who was killed in a car crash on Monday.
Fenwick posted this on Instagram.
“My heart is in a million pieces for the Kredich family and the devastating news from Knoxville.
I lost my little buddy yesterday. Ben Kredich was sensational. I have known him for the last 16 years. He was clever, witty, curious, relentless, uber-talented and loving. Ben was a man of routine with memory as long as I95. Ben never had much of a filter. He told it like it was. His authenticity was rare and beautiful.
I remember Ben jumping for hours on the trampolines at the Tennessee pool. He was terrific at it. After I moved to Charlottesville, I’d get calls at random hours from Ben, just checking in. Ben cared deeply for those that cared about him. He had a massive community. Every year we come down for the Tennessee Invite, I knew I’d hear Ben calling for me above the crowd’s noise as he made his way across the pool. I loved seeing Ben and looked forward to answering a standard litany of questions each time we met.
My favorite times with Ben would be when he got excited. Ben was smart! It took something pretty good to get him going. Be it a pun, a riddle, or subtle intellectual amusement, he’d belt out a laugh, his eyes would twinkle, and he’d crack a wry smile. Ben referred to me as “Kid.” An acknowledgment of what he observed as my many moments devoid of maturity. Ben always called a spade a spade ♠️
I will miss Ben, his intelligence, and his gentle soul. My heart breaks for Coleman, Miles, Kim, and Matt Kredich. I wish I could do more to fight back the tears and help ease their pain—much love to the Kredich family from the Fenwick’s.”
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Kredich was 24 years old. The driver in the crash has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.
Ben was one of three children of Matt and Kim. Ben lived with autism. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in music and played piano in local assisted living centers. (Kim is choral conductor who has devoted much of her life to working with children with disabilities.)
In addition to his parents, Ben is survived by brothers Miles and Coleman.
🧡🧡🧡