ITHACA, Wis. — The Ithaca community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Briggs Maxwell, a freshman at Ithaca High School and member of the school’s varsity football program, who died Thursday following a tragic farming accident in the Town of Ithaca.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the accident occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on August 27, 2026, while Briggs was involved in farming activities. Authorities reported that the teenager suffered serious injuries involving a skid loader and later died as a result of those injuries.
Briggs was remembered as a promising young student-athlete who brought energy and determination to the football field. He played for the Ithaca varsity football team as a running back and linebacker, contributing to a program that had become an important part of his young life.
His unexpected death has deeply affected the Ithaca School District. Classmates, teammates, coaches, teachers, and community members are now facing the devastating loss of a young person whose life and future were filled with promise.
The tragedy has been particularly painful for the Ithaca football family because Briggs’ father serves as an assistant coach for the varsity football program. The close connection between Briggs, his family, and the football community has made his loss especially difficult for those who knew him.
Following the tragedy, the Ithaca School District expressed condolences to the Maxwell family and acknowledged the profound grief affecting students, staff members, families, and the wider community. School counselors and support personnel were made available to provide assistance to those struggling to process the loss.
Several athletic activities were also canceled as the school community came together to mourn Briggs and support his loved ones. The scheduled Ithaca/Weston varsity football game against Wauzeka-Steuben was canceled, along with Ithaca varsity volleyball activities.
For Briggs’ teammates, the loss extends beyond the football field. They are mourning a friend and fellow student whose presence was part of their daily lives. Coaches and teachers are also remembering a young person who had much more of life ahead of him.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the farming accident. Additional information about the incident may be released as the investigation progresses.
Briggs Maxwell’s life was tragically short, but the memories he created will remain with his family, friends, classmates, teammates, coaches, and everyone who had the opportunity to know him. His passion for football and connection to the Ithaca community will remain part of the legacy he leaves behind.
At a time of profound sorrow, the Ithaca community is standing together in support of the Maxwell family. Their loss is shared by a community that will remember Briggs not simply for the tragedy surrounding his death, but for the young person he was and the promise he carried.
May Briggs Maxwell rest in peace, and may his family and loved ones find strength and comfort in the memories they shared with him.