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High School Football Coach Indicted in Player's Heat Related Death

Last summer, a high school football player in Louisville, Kentucky collapsed during summer football practice and died a short time later from heat stroke after his body temperature reached 107 degrees. It is alleged that the coaches withheld water and continued to run the players at practice despite a heat index that reached 94 degrees. Another player collapsed and was hospitalized but recovered following two days in the hospital.

Yesterday, a grand jury returned an indictment against the head coach for reckless homicide, in what is believed to be the first time a high school or college football coach has ever been indicted in the case of a death of player. Witnesses reported hearing the coaches deny players water. Other witnesses reported hearing the coaches say that they would run the players until someone quit the team. The grand jury refused to take the testimony of the now indicted head coach.

Whether the coach is ultimately acquitted, the indictment alone should have immediate impact on coached around the country. Every school district and college and university should develop protocols and procedures for practices held during the summer, which outline exactly under what conditions practice may be held. The practice protocols should be developed in conjunction with physicians and national sports training and sports physician groups. Once adopted, they should be strictly followed. Any deviation from them which is not authorized by a physician should be grounds for immediate termination. Among other protocols, water should be freely accessible to athletes at all times, without any restrictions.

The lives of young people placed in the care of coaches should never be taken for granted. While the overwhelming majority of coaches are well meaning with the best interests of their athletes at heart, the pressure to win can get the better of them and cloud their judgement. That is why protocols are necessary and should be strictly enforced. Coaches don't have the medical training to make judgements about what is best for the athletes placed in their care and shouldn't be forced to make judgement calls about weather and practice. There have been too many incidents when the wrong call has been made.

Full post as published by Sports Biz on January 23, 2009 (boomark / email).