"Brad's loss will be deeply felt by his family, friends, teammates, coaches and all who knew him," said President D. Merrill Ewert. "Please pray for his family and fiancé during this incredibly difficult time."
Babcock was to graduate with a bachelor's degree in business/marketing. He had transferred to FPU in 2009 from American River College.
A championship athlete, Babcock was a member of both the swimming and water polo teams. Last season as a senior he helped the Sunbirds capture their second consecutive NAIA national championship in men's swimming, earning NAIA All-American honors with a fourth-place finish nationally in the 100 freestyle. At the 2011 national championships, he was part of NAIA national record-setting relay teams in the 200 medley and 400 freestyle. As a junior, Babcock was part of national championship teams in the 200 medley and 400 medley relays, scoring 168 points in individual and team events as the Sunbirds captured the program's first national title.