Coroner: MSSU athlete died of meningitis

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- An autopsy has found that a Missouri Southern State University athlete died of bacterial meningitis.

After learning that Danny Sickles had died of meningitis, the Joplin Health Department asked the school Tuesday to identify anyone who might have had close personal contact with him during the week he was sick.

The 20-year-old Sickles was found dead in his apartment by his roommates Saturday night.

Sickles is a pitcher for Missouri Southern's baseball team. He was recruited by the Joplin school this year after one season at a community college in Florida.

Health officials said that the possibility of infection by exposure is slim, and that close personal contact like kissing or sharing eating utensils is required to spread the bacteria.

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Information from The Joplin Globe: http://www.joplinglobe.com