The Trojan Nation is mourning the loss of one of its own today, with the passing of Eric Mizell (1993), 46, who died Monday, Oct. 3 at his home in Troy.

Mizell was serving on the Board of Directors of the National Alumni Association and led the Letterwinners “T” Club alumni chapter. He had been an Alumni Board member since 2012 and was on the Trojan Warrior Council. A former offensive lineman and center on the Troy Trojans football team, he was a key figure in organizing former athletes to help serve the University community in various ways.

“I remember when Eric came to TROY to play football in the early 1990’s. He was an outstanding student-athlete,” said Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “As an alumnus, Eric became the catalyst for former athletes in the T Club, and he was respected by all those who have worn the Trojan uniform.”

“Eric loved Troy University, TB&T, and the City of Troy. His passing is a tremendous loss for his wife, Tiffaney, his family, TROY and the entire community,” he said.

A Lucedale, Miss. native, Eric was the wealth manager for Henderson Wealth Management at Troy Bank & Trust for 15 years, and was active in many facets in the Troy community – including serving as a coach for his children’s sports teams. He was president of the University’s T-Club and had been an officer of the Letterman’s Club since its creation in 2006. Outside the University, Mizell served on the Troy City Schools Education Foundation and was a founder, officer and director of the College Street Historic District Association.

“Eric always had a positive attitude. He was always smiling and willing to help,” said Jeff Kervin, Troy Bank and Trust’s president and CEO. “Those kind of people are rare.”

Kervin said Mizell’s death was a shock to everyone and leaves a hole not only in the TB&T family, but in the community.

“He’s going to be missed, but he wouldn’t want people to be sad – he was a happy and gregarious person,” he said. “It will be hard for his family and they will need a lot of support (from everyone).”

Visitation is 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6 at Dillard Funeral Home in Troy. Funeral services are slated for 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 at Park Memorial United Methodist Church in Troy with the Rev. Danny Arnold officiating. Interment will be at Green Hills Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy.

He is survived by his wife, Tiffaney, twin sons Bryson and Beaux, twin daughters Kaylee and Kassidy; his parents and brothers and a sister. Memorial contributions may be made to the T Club in lieu of flowers.

Update

A scholarship has been established to honor and memorialize former Troy Trojan football player, Alumni Board member and T-Club president Eric Mizell, who died Monday, Oct. 3.

“Eric loved his family and Troy University, and he loved kids from all walks of life,” said T-Club Vice President Julius Pittman. “Eric would have been deeply moved knowing he could help kids in this way.”

Pittman said Mizell’s wife, Tiffaney, had requested the scholarship be established for people who wanted to memorialize her husband in a way other than sending flowers to the funeral service.

“Eric was larger than life in a lot of ways and was always encouraging others to make a difference in the lives around them,” Pittman said. “He was all about creating opportunities for others.”

Those wishing to make a donation to the Eric Mizell Scholarship may direct their donations to:

T Club – Eric Mizell Scholarship

Alumni House

100 Highland Ave.

Troy, AL 36082

Checks should be made payable to the Troy University Foundation, and in the memo line noted “Eric Mizell Scholarship.”