The Gophers' Plitzuweit is mourning the unexpected death of a former player

Minnesota Gophers basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit is mourning the unexpected death of one of her former players at the University of South Dakota.

Bridget (Arens) Schumacher, 30, died unexpectedly on October 25 at a hospital in Yankton, South Dakota. Her cause of death has not been revealed.

Schumacher, who went by her maiden name Arens while studying, was a standout striker from 2013 to 2017. She played her senior season in 2016-17 under Plitzuweit, who was hired at South Dakota in 2016 and spent six seasons at Vermillion before coaching, one season at West Virginia and then the Minnesota job in 2023.

Plitzuweit trained three Arens sisters – Bridget, Allison and Monica – during her time at USD.

“Bridget was the greatest competitor, greatest warrior and the kindest spirit you could ever be with,” Plitzuweit wrote in a tribute to Schumacher. “She truly lived in the precious present every day. I feel so blessed to have mentored her, Allison and Monica. What a beautiful family and what an incredible loss. I love you, Bridget.”

Schumacher, a native of Crofton, Nebraska, was the USD Female Athlete of the Year as a senior and left South Dakota as the record holder for career games played (137).

Plitzuweit and the Gophers open the 2024-25 season on Nov. 6 against Central Connecticut State.