Is your dojo prepared on every level to deal with something like this?
- Bill
- Richmond Times DispatchSoccer player collapses in game
Hampton 16-year-old dies after collision at Henrico County park
From Staff And Wire Reports Nov 7, 2005
A soccer player from Hampton died Saturday after collapsing during a tournament in Henrico County's Dorey Park, police said.
David Pickeral, 16, collided with at least one other player near the goal post, walked a short distance and then collapsed, Henrico police said.
Police received a call at 5:21 p.m., Henrico police Capt. J.P. Meade said. When paramedics arrived minutes later, the unresponsive player was taken to VCU Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Meade said.
The cause of death had not been determined, police said.
Pickeral was a goalie for the U18 Wizards Elite Team of the Williamsburg Soccer Club, teammate Chewy Giunti told the Daily Press of Newport News. The accident happened about 20 minutes into the first game of the tournament.
Giunti said Pickeral, a senior at Bethel High School in Hampton, was a soccer standout who wanted to play in college. A profile posted on the Williamsburg Soccer Club's Web site also described him as an honor student and counselor with the Friends in Jesus Learning Center in Hampton.
Richard Butler, the director of coaching for the Williamsburg Soccer Club, told the Daily Press he was arranging grief counseling for other members of Pickeral's team.
Grief counselors also will be available today to Pickeral's fellow students at Bethel High School, said Ann Stephens, public-relations director for the Hampton school system.
Stephens described Pickeral, the goalie on Bethel High School's soccer team, as "very well liked," adding "it's a great loss not only to the Bethel community, but to Hampton City Schools."
