The Official Forum - Prayers...

It has been an interesting, and after last night, rough week of officiating for me. With 28 seconds left in the second game of a tripleheader I was working last night, a player who was being subbed out fell to the floor in front of her bench. A school administrator ran out of the gym and came back with an AED–the young lady had gone into cardiac arrest. I am certified in CPR/AED but did not have to perform it as there were trainers and coaches there who were certified. The young lady, at least from my perspective, was not revived before EMS arrived and took over. I emailed the school's AD today to offer my thoughts and prayers.

Having been a lifeguard and pool manager, this is the stuff we were always taught to be prepared for. This is the first time I have ever seen it happen. I am no expert, but given everything I've learned about cardiac arrest and CPR, I'm not terribly optimistic about the young lady's chances. I hope and pray that I'm wrong.

This week is the first time where I feel I've been truly given the reality check about what can go wrong in our business. Obviously what I witnessed last night is far worse than pretty much anything else we encounter on the court.

I just request your thoughts and prayers for this school, the young lady, and her family.