Sad News Out of Stillwater

[GoMuskies]

Tyrek Coger died after the team spent 40 minutes running stadium stairs in 100 degree heat. Hopefully most other teams aren't doing anything so stupid.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/17122411/oklahoma-state-forward-tyrek-coger-dies-workout

[xu82]

That is absolutely horrible. Why the hell are they out doing conditioning in that heat? Do they expect to play some road games on a court in the desert? I'm surprised this doesn't happen more in football with all the gear. No reason to be out there in basketball.

[X-band '01]

To 82's point, it was incredible that there were no fatalities during Bear Bryant's first Texas A&M training camp in Junction (which was outlined in The Junction Boys). We'll find out later just how it got to this point for Coger and Oklahoma State, but it doesn't change the fact that Oklahoma State has more heartbreak to deal with. Thoughts and prayers to Coger's family and the OSU family.

[xubrew]

This is tragic. NO ONE should ever die because of something like this. It just shouldn't happen. Ever.

From what I understand from athletic trainers who are around this every day, it takes about five days to fully acclimate yourself to the heat. The best way to do it is to sit outside in the heat of the day and do nothing accept drink water. You do not get a better workout by working out in the heat. If you acclimate yourself to the heat during the day, and work out harder either in the mornings or in the evenings when it is cooler, you are getting the same amount of exercise and the same kind of heat acclimation that you would by working out in the heat of the day.

Most football programs who practice two or three times out in the heat have large pools of ice water on the sideline. I've never served in the military, but it is my understanding that they do the same. If someone does go down because of the heat, the survival rate practically 100% if have the ice pools and fluids ready to go.

There's no excuse for this. I can only think that since it was only supposed to be a forty minute workout that they just didn't think they needed to take any precautions. I feel terrible for everyone who was effected by this.

[bleedXblue]

Massive law suit. Where is the common sense?

[muskiefan82]

Before blame is placed, we should wait to see if there was an underlying issue that caused this. It may be that the heat just brought out an underlying condition that was previously unknown to everyone.

[Emp]

Working out a team in 100 degree heat, in the sun, on steps is gross negligence, underlying condition or no. I'm not sure it's criminal, but it should be. You can run steps in the airconditioned gym or any number of other safe places. It will stop when schools and coaches get punished.

[xubrew]

Working out a team in 100 degree heat, in the sun, on steps is gross negligence, underlying condition or no. I'm not sure it's criminal, but it should be. You can run steps in the airconditioned gym or any number of other safe places. It will stop when schools and coaches get punished.

It isn't unusual at all for college teams to practice or play in 100+ degree heat. Sometimes for hours. I've been to a few college football and college soccer games where it was over a hundred degrees. I don't think practicing out in the heat is in and of itself negligent. But, not taking precautions to immediately treat someone who collapses due to the heat (or due to any other reason) is what I find to be negligent. Had they had an ice tub then it is almost certain that he wouldn't have died.

[GoMuskies]

It's really unusual for college basketball teams to play in 100 degree heat since, you know, it's an indoor sport played in the winter.

[xubrew]

It's really unusual for college basketball teams to play in 100 degree heat since, you know, it's an indoor sport played in the winter.

Yeah, since Cameron got air the days of 90+ degree games are over. But, it's not unusual to have workouts in the heat. Maybe it's not practical, but to have a team workout that involves running stairs in the football stadium in the heat of the day is something that a lot of teams do. And, that's okay so long as they take precautions.

[nuts4xu]

Yeah, since Cameron got air the days of 90+ degree games are over.

Outside of the old summer league played at Purcell Marion HS, Cameron was the hottest indoor basketball I ever witnessed. It was at least 90 degrees inside that old castle and this was December (of 92 I believe).