Current:Home > Finance15-year-old Virginia high school football player dies after collapsing during practice -TruePath Finance
15-year-old Virginia high school football player dies after collapsing during practice
View
Date:2025-04-15 14:25:34
A beloved Virginia high school football player died on Monday during a team practice, leaving the community devastated.
The teen was a student at Hopewell High School. According to the school district, the incident occurred when the team took a water break after doing about 40 minutes of light drills "following standard safety protocols." Hopewell City Public Schools said the student collapsed 10 feet near the coach.
"Two coaches were in the vicinity and immediately performed CPR and called 911. An AED was on grounds, but the paramedics arrived promptly and prior to the AED being used," the district said. "The paramedics provided additional medical support and transported the student to the hospital right away."
The district did reveal the student's name, but local news station WTVR identified him as Jayvion Taylor. Superintendent Dr. Melody Hackney told The Progress-Index, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the player was 15 years old and a 10th-grade student.
"He was straight positive, like one of the best guys I’ve ever know," fellow player Orrin Besley told WTVR.
Tragedy:'Her last jump of the day': Skydiving teacher dies after hitting dust devil, student injured
'One of the most genuine' students, officials say
The district described Jayvion as a "light" and "one of the most genuine and remarkable students our staff have ever worked with."
"Our coaches and team are about much more than just football and are devastated. We respectfully ask that the entire school community be allowed time to grieve the overwhelming loss of this remarkable young man," the statement continued.
Virginia Tech Football Coach Brent Pry acknowledged the student's death at a presser on Tuesday, WSLS reported.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hopewell High School football program," Pry said.
The high school is located in Hopewell, about 22 miles from Richmond.
Petition reveals community concerns
This week, friends and loved ones gathered for an emotional prayer vigil in the school gym to honor the teen's life. According to WWBT, his aunt said his cause of death has not yet been revealed. A balloon release is scheduled to be held at the Hopewell School Football Field on Saturday night.
A Change.org petition created on Tuesday called Jayvion's passing "preventable" and alleged that the football practice was held under "extreme conditions," adding that the school was humid and about 90 degrees that day.
"The air conditioning system, which fails every year, was again broken, leaving the floors wet with sweat and humidity," the petition stated. "Despite considering the option of closing the school, the decision was made to keep it open."
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, it was as hot as 88 degrees on Monday, with a heat index of 90 to 98.
In the statement, the school district also noted that administrators completed the procurement process for athletic training services, which is slated to begin at the start of next week, Aug. 12. The school was closed on Tuesday "due to air conditioning issues," but classes resumed on Wednesday, officials said.
The petition included a list of demands, including upgrading the air conditioning system and communicating with parents and guardians about issues like gas leaks, air conditioning failures, and lockdown drills.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
veryGood! (2934)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Manslaughter probe announced in Sicily yacht wreck that killed 7
- Walmart recalls apple juice sold in 25 states due to elevated arsenic levels
- Lights, camera, cars! Drive-in movie theaters are still rolling along
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Eminem's Daughter Hailie Jade Says She Was Brought to Tears By 2 of His Songs
- Sheriff: A 16-year-old boy is arrested after 4 people are found dead in a park in northwest Georgia
- ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Alien’ top charts again as ‘Blink Twice’ sees quiet opening
- Sam Taylor
- First criminal trial arising from New Hampshire youth detention center abuse scandal starts
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- 8 wounded in shootout involving police and several people in Pennsylvania
- MLB power rankings: Dodgers back on top with Shohei Ohtani's 40-40 heroics
- Double Duty: For Danny Jansen, playing for both teams in same game is chance at baseball history
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Horoscopes Today, August 24, 2024
- Yes, petroleum jelly is a good moisturizer, but beware before you use it on your face
- Election 2024 Latest: Harris and Trump campaigns tussle over muting microphones at upcoming debate
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
Louisville officer involved in Scottie Scheffler’s arrest charged with stealing from suspect
They fled genocide, hoping to find safety in America. They found apathy.
‘We were expendable': Downwinders from world’s 1st atomic test are on a mission to tell their story
B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
National Dog Day: Want to find your new best friend? A guide to canine companionship
Watch live: NASA set to reveal how Boeing Starliner astronauts will return to Earth
Lights, camera, cars! Drive-in movie theaters are still rolling along