Two Coaches In Georgia Are Held Accountable for A Student Death During Ball Practice

Heatstroke is a real danger during this time of year

As a retired teacher, I cannot imagine that any teacher or coach would knowingly submit a child to danger particularly if it is a life and death situation. It is every teacher’s nightmare.

There have been two instances in the state of Georgia where a student athlete has died. In no way do I believe that the coaches involved intentionally put the student in danger. It is a terrible situation and one that cannot be resolved in a positive way.

Georgia is very hot in the summer and heat exhaustion is a real issue. Two years ago a young student in Clayton County, GA became overheated at a basketball conditioning practice. She became ill and later died at the hospital.

CBS 46 News reports that two Clayton County high school coaches have been indicted for murder for the death of a student.

“Larosa Walker-Asekere and Dwight Palmer are charged with involuntary manslaughter, cruelty to children, reckless conduct, and second-degree murder for the death of 16-year-old Imani Bell.”

According to the story, Imani Bell, who was a student at Elite Scholars Academy, collapsed after conditioning outside during record temperatures in August of 2019. There were no underlying health conditions involved in her death.

According to the Washington Post, Imani was required to run up and down a hill, circle the field and run up the stadium steps after doing jumping jacks. She fell limp against the handrail and suffered a heart attack.

Just last month, another tragic event happened with a student in Macon, Georgia collapsed after football practice. Joshua Ivory, Jr, a student at Southwest High School, died following football practice. His death is still under investigation at this time.

Meanwhile, a Joe Dupree, his coach as Southwest High, had been put on administrative leave with pay after the death of Ivory. No charges have been filed pending autopsy results.

The death of any child is tragic. Heat related deaths are preventable and new guidelines are in the works for coaches to follow.

Meanwhile, athletes should acclimatize to heat gradually. take frequent breaks, rehydrate often, and account for the heat and humidity. Most of all, we should all beware of the extreme heat.

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