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Player’s death raises
concerns among Big Ten coaches
By Paul Trembacki
Sports
Editor
CHICAGO — The reporters in attendance at the
30th annual 2001 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon didn’t even have to ask
most coaches. They already knew.
Korey Stringer, a 27-year-old offensive lineman
for the Minnesota Vikings, died of heat stroke at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday
at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital-Mayo Health System in Mankato,
Minn., near the Vikings’ training camp. At camp, temperatures were
in the low 90s and the heat index topped 110. Stringer, who vomited
three times in practice Tuesday morning but didn’t notify trainers
until after practice, had a 108-degree fever when he entered the hospital.
Less than seven hours later, coaches praised Stringer,
an All-American and two-time All-Big Ten selection while at Ohio State,
and expressed concern over heat issues.
"There’s nothing worse that can happen
in coaching or to someone’s child," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr
said.
Most Big Ten teams are staring practice this weekend,
while some, including Wisconsin, have already started. At Purdue, newcomers
report to campus today and practices begin Saturday. The forecast calls
for plenty of sun and a high of 87. Purdue coach Joe Tiller said caution
will definitely be used, and Purdue players are encouraged to report
all problems to a trainer who can assess the circumstances.
"I think today common sense prevails,"
Tiller said. "You have to manage your squad differently today than
you did 20 years ago, even 10 years ago, because these guys are bigger
and you’re dealing with bigger body types. I think all coaches
have done a better job of managing their squads and looking out for
the health of their squads."
Tiller, who wishes the NCAA allowed more time for
spring practice, also said the desire among football coaches to make
players as big as possible ought to be reconsidered. Stringer was 6-foot-4
inches tall and weighed 346 pounds, a little larger than the average
size for an NFL offensive tackle.
"There’s got to be an upper limit in
terms of how much weight the human body can handle," Tiller said.
Stringer was the first player in NFL history to
die from heat, but he was just the latest of many victims.
Last week, Eraste Autin, a freshman football player
at the University of Florida, died after collapsing from heat stroke.
Earlier this week, 17-year-old Travis Stowers of Clinton Central (Ind.)
High School died after collapsing at practice, following what was initially
believed to be a brain aneurysm. Thursday, however, officials said heat
may have played a role in Stowers' death. Figures from the University
of North Carolina show that 18 high school or college players have died
of heat-related causes since 1995.
Jim Tressel, ready to enter his first year as coach
at Ohio State after 15 years at Division I-AA Youngstown State, said
he remembers when Stringer used to come back to Northwest Ohio and help
kids learn the basics of football.
"Those of us who have been in coaching for
many years have watched the evolution of dealing with the heat; we’ve
tried to remain progressive in this heat," Tressel said. "Our
hearts go out to Korey’s family. It’s a tough reminder of
the real world and the fact that we’ve got to try to do a better
job of preventing these things."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Update:
Hurns
ask for, receives release from team
Aug. 3
Coverage:
Player’s
death raises concerns among Big Ten coaches
Purdue
grapples with unfamiliar questions at media event
Purdue
racecar makes appearance
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