Wayne Estopinal, the founder of the second-tier soccer club Louisville City, was killed in a plane crash in southern Indiana on Friday. He was 63.
Ball State University, where Estopinal was a trustee, confirmed his death in the crash, while his USL team also released a statement. Two others killed in the crash have not been identified.
The plane, which was headed to Chicago, crashed about 16 miles north of Louisville at about 11:30 a.m., six minutes after departing Clark Regional Airport in Indiana. The craft was registered to a company owned by Estopinal, according to ABC7 in Chicago.
Estopinal founded Louisville City in 2014, and the club has gone on to win the second-tier league the past two seasons.
“We at LouCity are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of club founder Wayne Estopinal,” club president Brad Estes said in a statement. “We would not be the club we are today without his innovation, leadership, and hard work, and his contributions to the community are something for which we are incredibly grateful. Our hearts are with Wayne’s family and loved ones at this time.”
Estopinal was also an investor in Orlando City before the club joined MLS and served on its board of directors
“Wayne was one of the first to believe in our club and the dream to bring Major League Soccer to Orlando,” an Orlando City statement said.