HCPS Statement - Update on Tragic Death of Student at Football Practice August 6, 2024 1pm

Our Hopewell High School staff, coaches, and the entire community continue to mourn the loss of one of our 10th grade JV football players during practice yesterday. Our focus today has been to provide a space for our staff and students to grieve.

We respect the privacy of the family during this time, but do want to share that this 15-year-old young man was considered one of the most genuine and remarkable students our staff have ever worked with. He was considered a “light” to all who met him and left a lasting impact.

What occurred yesterday was that our team was at practice about 40 minutes into light drills, following standard safety protocols. After returning from a water break, the student collapsed about 10 feet from a 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 paramedics provided additional medical support and transported the student to the hospital right away.

We have been asked about the status of athletic training. We completed the procurement process for securing athletic training services over the summer. The existing contract identifies August 12, 2024 as the starting date.

School will resume tomorrow (Wednesday). The air conditioning issues that caused the closure this morning have now been resolved, with the average temperature in the school now in the low 70s. Grief counseling will be available for all of our students when they return.

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.