Long Island Basketball Coach Remembered For Making ‘World Go Round For A Lot Of People’

LONG ISLAND, NY — The beloved Long Island basketball coach who died in a tragic car crash on Friday was remembered as someone who made the world go around for a lot of people, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his daughter.

Darrell Sumpter was driving a 2002 Cadillac westbound in the left lane of Sunrise Highway, just east of Horseblock Road, when it swerved and struck a 2021 Ford utility truck traveling in the right lane, and vehicles left the roadway and overturned, Suffolk police said.

Sumpter, 51, of Shirley, died at the scene, according to police.

Sumpter was an assistant coach for the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams at William Floyd High School and was instrumental in the creation of the youth basketball program and booster club in the district.

“Today we unexpectedly lost the man who made a lot of people’s world go round — my dad,” wrote Dejiah Sumpter. “We are completely heartbroken.”

The outpouring of support for her and her siblings, mother, and family “has been unspeakably appreciated.”

“We are now left with the burden and hardship of planning a funeral and rehoming of our mama,” she wrote. “Coach D gave us his all — he deserves a proper goodbye. On behalf of his family and basketball family, thank you all so much. We will post about services once we know.”

She could not be immediately reached for comment.

School district officials said colleagues, fellow coaches, and social workers met with the basketball teams on Friday “to share this tragic news” and will continue to have grief and crisis counselors available for any students who may need them.

“Members of the William Floyd school community have also reached out to the Sumpter family and will continue to offer any support that is needed in the coming days and weeks,” district officials said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Sumpter’s family, friends, and all of the student-athletes who loved and cared for him.”

The community planned a special remembrance at Tuesday’s game, the first game since Sumpter’s death.

So far, the GoFundMe page has raised $62, 459.

Police say a passenger in Sumpter’s Cadillac, a 48-year-old woman also from Shirley, and the driver of the Ford, a 52-year-old from Lake Ronkonkoma, were also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the 5th Squad in Shirley at 631-854-8552.