College athletes across the country train to perform and compete at an optimum level, yet an alarming number suffer from injuries, and even fatalities, each week.
Athletic injuries are the norm; however, death is never expected.
Each institution, as well as the NCAA, sets forth a policy to preserve the well-being of all athletes. This includes a set amount of trainers, screenings, classes, and drug tests. Health records are also examined. Still, even with the most comprehensive safety measures in place, tragedies still occur.
NC A&T student Jospin Milandu, collapsed Aug. 16 during “unscheduled” track team tryouts. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. His cause of death was complications from an elevated heart rate, according to the Greensboro News & Record
Milandu was 20 years old.
A press release sent by NC A&T stated that Milandu was participating in an unscheduled, voluntary track try-out.
According to NCAA rules, all try-outs must be scheduled. This helps to ensure that medical personnel and trainers are present in case of emergencies.
“Because this activity did not appear on the university’s schedule of athletic events, a number of university policies were violated,”according to a news release.
“Additionally, one NCAA policy was also violated, resulting in what has been determined to be a ‘secondary violation.’
This violation has been self-reported to the NCAA. As a result of these policy violations, the university’s ability to respond effectively was limited,” said Nicole Pride, NC A&T associate vice chancellor for university relations in News & Record interview.
The Athletic Department at Winston-Salem State works in conjunction with NCAA Division II standards to produce a safe, highly efficient environment for its athletes. The fall season is highlighted by football, cheering and volleyball, and they are no exception of injuries.
Most football teams carry more than 50 players, leaving them more prone to a higher rate of injury.
“We have our trainers out. We don’t do anything without our trainers out. It [Not having them out there] just puts you in a bad situation. The easiest thing to do is have trainers out there, and you’re covered,” Head Coach Connell Maynor said.
Many players suffer from nagging injuries. These are benign injuries that occur over the course of the season.
“You get nagging injuries. You get hamstrings, you get ankles, you get bumps and bruises; that’s just a natural part of the game,” Maynor said.
“We usually have between eight and 10 people in treatment a week.”
Winston-Salem State has been fortunate this year. There have been no reports of any fatalities to date. With neighboring schools reports of major injuries and even death, the trainers and medical staff at the University remain diligent in preventive maintenance in the area of human performance.
Rob Woodall, a WSSU athletic trainer for WSSU knows how a fatality on a sports team can affect everyone connected to that person.
“I was on staff at A&T when a football player passed away during summertime conditioning,” Woodall said.
Maynor avoids situations like these at all costs.
“I never have and never will put football before the person’s life,” Maynor said.
In addition to making sure that water is always available to each athlete, the Athletic Department ensures that there is always a trainer within a three-minute time response at every game.
All players are required to sign a waiver.