According to the Orlando Sentinel, the family of former Lely High School football player Ereck Plancher has received a payment for part of the funeral expenses for the 19-year-old University of Central Florida player, who collapsed and died following a workout on March 18.

The university's athletic association had said it would pay for all funeral expenses for Plancher. UCF coach George O'Leary and the team attended Plancher's services at Lely on March 30. Plancher's father, Enock, said two weeks ago that he had not received any reimbursement.

On Thursday, Plancher told the Sentinel: "I did receive a check from them for part of the expenses. They want us to send more receipts for the rest, and we are working on doing that."

According to the Sentinel, the funeral and burial fees from receipts received by UCF were $16,820. Enock Plancher has estimated the total funeral expenses at $35,000.

The article also stated that UCF has begun interviewing football players as it continues to review the death of Plancher, four sources close to the football program told the paper.

"We are continuing to evaluate the events surrounding Ereck's death, as we have from the beginning," UCF spokesman Grant Heston told the paper Thursday.

The interviews come after four UCF players told the Sentinel that Plancher showed signs of distress during the workout before he collapsed and died.

The players said the workout was far more intense than the university initially indicated and said O'Leary cursed at Plancher for lack of effort after he struggled through mat drills. The coach has denied the allegations.

Enock Plancher told the paper the family is still awaiting a final autopsy report before deciding if it will pursue a lawsuit against the university.

A preliminary autopsy was inconclusive and further tests are being done. Plancher told the Sentinel that he has not hired an attorney.

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