Notre Dame football recruit who fell to his death in Fla. to be mourned at his Ohio school

Ohio school hosting visitation for player who fell

CINCINNATI — A Cincinnati school will host classmates and family who want to pay their respects to a Notre Dame football recruit who fell to his death from a Florida hotel balcony.

A four-hour public visitation for Matt James begins late Friday afternoon at St. Xavier High School. The 17-year-old offensive lineman was a senior at the high school and was scheduled to enroll at Notre Dame in June.

James died a week ago while on spring break in Panama City Beach, Fla. Police there say he was drunk when leaned over a fifth-floor balcony railing and fell.

His high school coaches, teammates and teachers say James should be remembered for his hard work, leadership and loyalty, not the way he died.

His funeral is Saturday morning in Cincinnati.