Tomassino Offer, a Wheaton College freshman and recent Notre Dame Prep graduate, was killed in a train accident on Sunday morning, leaving both his school community and his hometown program in shock. In college baseball terms, this is not about a roster move or a season storyline. It is about a young life cut short before it could begin at the next level.
Offer was hit by an eastbound Union Pacific freight train at about 10:20 a.m. CDT after leaving church with a friend. The investigation into the train accident was ongoing at the time of the article, but the immediate response was already clear: Wheaton College held a remembrance on Sunday, and St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton held another on Monday.
Who Tomassino Offer was
Offer was known at Notre Dame Prep as a multi-sport standout who played baseball and soccer. As a junior, he appeared in 35 games, had 26 hits, three doubles and eight RBIs, and threw 10 1/3 innings while allowing one earned run. As a senior, he played in every game for Notre Dame Prep baseball, batted.388, scored 26 runs, drove in 15 runs and stole 13 bases. He also pitched in four games, earning two wins over 10 innings.
His value to Notre Dame Prep went beyond the box score. He was part of a junior soccer team that won the program’s first state title and was a first-team all-state soccer selection as a senior. That is why his death has landed so hard: this was a young athlete known for production, consistency and presence in multiple sports.
The response from Notre Dame Prep and Wheaton College
Jason Gendreau posted on X and Facebook on Monday evening, writing: “Pray for our school community as we navigate these tough times.” He also said, “We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of (2026 Grad) Baseball & Soccer standout (Tomassino Offer) … Our condolences to the entire Offer Family, and their closest friends.”
Gendreau added: “Heaven gained the ultimate angel yesterday,” before describing Offer as “selfless, caring, hardworking, intelligent, talented – and relentless beyond his years!” He also wrote, “Tomassino…it was a privilege to be a part of your life!” and, “You made me a better person, coach and leader just by your presence and the expectations / standards you placed upon yourself!”
Henry Ewles also shared his thoughts, calling Offer “one of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met” and adding: “Rest In Peace Tomassino.” He finished by saying, “Thank you for being a great kid and an even better friend/person.”
The reaction has moved quickly from grief to gathering. A prayer vigil for Offer was scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in Utica. In moments like this, the game takes a back seat to the person, and that is exactly what has happened here. For Wheaton College and Notre Dame Prep, the priority now is support, remembrance and the difficult days ahead.
For readers following broader college baseball news, North Carolina and Oklahoma reaching Game 3 in the College Baseball World Series is one of the other major stories in the sport, but the loss of Offer is a reminder that some developments are measured far beyond the field.
