Jun 24, 2014 10:17 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Washburn baseball coach Steven Anson died following a tree-trimming accident this weekend on his property near Grantville.

The 50-year-old coach was working alone, trimming trees in the 3200 block of NE 27th St., when a limb fell and pinned him. He was pronounced dead at the scene, WIBW reports.

Athletic director Loren Ferre' said that the community is shocked and saddened to learn about Anson's death. It is a terrible loss to the Athletic community.

"Steve was so loyal to the program and well known around the community. It's hard to put into words right now what we're feeling as a program," Ferre' said. "This is a huge loss not only for the team and the athletic program, but for the countless number of lives he has touched in his career," Miami Herald reports.

Anson served as Ichabods coach for 35 seasons, where he led them to five NAIA tournaments. The native of Mishawaka, Indiana, he posted an overall record of 844-798-3 and was named Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association coach of the year in 1994.

As a college athlete, Anson played baseball at Kansas State. He won the Big Eight batting title in 1974 with a .439 average. He holds the Kansas State career triple record with 19 and was selected to the Wildcats all-century team.

Men's basketball coach Bob Chipman said that Anson was loyal to his coaching job here, helping players on and off the campus. Chipman said that he was a great role model to the players and will be very difficult to replace.

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