This article was recently brought to my attention via the Korey Stringer Institute Twitter page (https://twitter.com/K_S_Institute). A 15 year old student-athlete from Georgia, Terrell Coleman, highly touted for his physical presence and athletic prowess on the basketball court, suddenly and tragically passed away on Sunday, October 27th, following an All-Star basketball game. While the official cause of death has yet to be discovered, a local news outlet reported that the student-athlete was diagnosed with a heart murmur prior to playing basketball. It was reported that Coleman received medical clearance to participate, but as we know, it is impossible to predict what tragic circumstances may befall an individual at any time. Little information was given regarding the immediate response to the student-athlete's collapse following the game, however this video suggests the first responders were fellow teammates and the team coach. The news video goes on to state that Coleman was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
There was no mention of any healthcare providers (such as certified athletic trainers) at the scene, nor was there mention of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The immediate implementation of an AED can profoundly increase the chances of survival for an individual in cardiac arrest (American Red Cross). Immediate and appropriate care by a qualified, trained medical professional such as a certified athletic trainer can, irrefutably, help reduce and prevent the overwhelming numbers of young student-athlete deaths we are seeing increasingly in the secondary school setting. Terrell Coleman was the victim of a tragic turn of fate, but his story should serve as an example of not only the need and importance of AEDs at all athletic venues across every level of athletics, but also the critical need for certified athletic trainers to be utilized, especially in the secondary school setting. We may not be able to prevent outright the loss of young student-athletes like Terrell Coleman, but we can certainly give them a fighting chance... and I think that is all anyone would ask for...
Terrell Coleman and his family, friends, and teammates will be in my thoughts.
