Football Field Death

A story that originates in Kentucky is one that you can be sure will be followed by those involved with the sport of football right here at the Jersey Shore. David Jason Stinson, the head coach at Pleasure Ridge High School pled not guilty yesterday to reckless homicide charges in the death of a 15-year old player in late August. Max Gilpin died of complications from heat stroke, three days after collapsing on the practice field. Stinson, who was in his first season as head coach, was released Monday without having to post bond but faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Gilpin, a 6’2, 220 pound offensive lineman collapsed during the end of practice when players were running sprints called “gassers.” Reports say coaches were pushing the players in the 94-degree heat, denying them water and promising to end practice if at least one player quit the team which did occur later. 15 minutes before Gilpin collapsed a teammate went down and was sent to a nearby tree for shade where he was treated with water and ice packs.

It’s believed this is the first time criminal charges have been brought against a high school or college coach for an incident like this one and it does raise many questions. Pushing players in the summer to get them ready for a season has been the norm for decades and despite awareness over heat-related problems there were six deaths in 2008 associated with heat on the high school and college level. There can be no denying more information is available today on the importance of hydration as I can tell you during my high school days we didn’t even know the meaning of the word. You also now have athletic trainers involved in the process, often working with coaches to make sure the proper precautions are taken.

Obviously none of us really knows what took place on that practice field in Louisville last August and that will come out during the trial. The death of a 15-year old is tragic and not to be taken lightly. However the precedent that could be set in this case will also have major ramifications for years to come and you can be sure coaches from all over the country will be watching.