Fund set up to help Cougars center Sorenson

Riley Sorenson and his Washington State teammates enjoyed a memorable season on the football field, but Sorenson’s memories of the 2015 season will always be bittersweet. Sorenson, whose mother is battling cancer, missed the Sun Bowl when his father had a heart attack prior to the Dec. 26 game.

Bart Sorenson died Tuesday in an El Paso, TX., hospital.

“The family thanks everyone for the prayers and well wishes,” the family’s  GoFundMe.com reads. “Please continue to pray for comfort during these very difficult times for Riley, Will, Elizabeth, Karen and the rest of the family. May God bring blessings to all that have helped and wrap his arms around the family so they know they are not alone.”

A GoFundMe.com account has raised more than $63,000 to help the Sorenson family deal with costs associated with their extended stay in El Paso. After some initial concerns about possible NCAA rules violations, the NCAA and the Cougars have approved donations to the fund.

Riley Sorenson, a junior center from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., has started the past two seasons for Washington State. He learned of his father’s heart attack shortly before the Sun Bowl and immediately left for the hospital. WSU capped a 9-4 season with a 20-14 win over Miami.