TALLAHASSEE — Nelson Townsend, tapped as interim Florida A&M Athletic Director when former AD Kellen Winslow resigned, has died.

WCTV reports that Townsend was rushed from the FAMU campus to hospital in Tallahassee Thursday morning. It happened just as he was preparing for an 8:30 a.m. meeting.

Townsend was 73 years old.

FAMU issued the following statement regarding Townsend’s passing:

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) was shaken this morning by the sudden death of Interim Athletic Director Nelson Townsend. President Elmira Mangum said, “The University lost a dear friend, excellent leader, and administrator.” She applauded Nelson Townsend as a fine man of God and compassionate human being.

“We will miss Nelson Townsend. We join his wife and family in mourning this great loss,” Mangum said.