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N.C. A&T: No physical on file for student who died during tryout

Wednesday, September 8, 2010
(Updated Thursday, September 9 - 8:00 am)
By Gerald Witt
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — When Jospin “Andre” Milandu tried out for N.C. A&T’s track and field team, the school had no record of a physical exam for him on file.

Nor was an athletics trainer present — an A&T requirement for student-athlete activities — when Milandu collapsed during a practice Aug. 19.

Milandu, 20, then died from complications of an elevated heart rate, doctors said.

And the tryout was not cleared with the athletics department.

Those findings are included in a collection of e-mail, reports and documents released by A&T on Wednesday that offer more details of what occurred that day — and what didn’t.

“Had our processes been followed, trainers would have been scheduled and in place, proof of physical examinations would have been obtained, and signed release waivers would have been on file,” A&T Chancellor Harold Martin said in a release.

  • The specific violations of NCAA and A&T rules:
  • The NCAA requires a physical for athletes at tryouts, practices and events. A&T’s similar policy in its own rules also was broken.
  • Milandu had not signed a A&T-required release waiver for the athletics department, a violation of school policy.
  • No trainer attended the practice, which is required by A&T for tryouts, practices and events.
  • The practice was not officially scheduled with the athletics department.

It was unclear Wednesday whether athletics director Wheeler Brown, head track and field coach Roy Thompson or others would be disciplined or investigated following the violations. Nicole Pride, associate vice chancellor for university relations, told the News & Record that such information was not public under state personnel law.

But N.C. General Statute 126-23 says that the “date of most recent promotion, demotion, transfer, suspension, separation, or other change in position classification” is considered public record.

University officials did not respond to questions seeking further comment Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Milandu’s father, Fernand, said he thinks the university is trying to avoid blame for his son’s death. Milandu hasn’t decided whether he will take legal action.

“When the athletes are performing, it is no problem,” he said. “Now that this is happening, they don’t want to take any responsibility.”

His son’s last moments can be somewhat pieced together through a review of statements from athletes and athletics trainers and from other reports.

Twenty-nine athletes, without physicals, participated in the Aug. 19 tryout, according to Martin.

The runners stretched, then ran four laps of a workout called in-and-outs.

“You jog the curves, and you stride down the straights,” David McFadgen, a team captain, said during a brief phone conversation Wednesday.

In a witness statement to A&T, McFadgen recalled from the practice, “... Milandu is performing well, actually keeping up with myself and a group of others in the front.”

It was about 6:30 p.m.

After two laps, Milandu said his legs hurt, according to McFadgen’s statement. Milandu faltered.

“I begin and continue to speak to him, trying to motivate him to try to stand up,” McFadgen told A&T officials. “He is still responsive and says to me, ‘I know, I won’t give up, I can’t.’ ”

Milandu then dropped to his knees. McFadgen carried him to the side of the track.

A similar statement by hurdler Patrick Mills said that Thompson, the Aggies’ head coach, yelled for help.

Mills said in the statement that Milandu’s chest wasn’t rising and “there was no evidence of breathing.”

Mills performed CPR with the instruction of 911 dispatchers until EMS crews arrived.

A report from A&T campus police supports those details.

Statements from trainers show that they didn’t hear of the incident until hours later.

And head trainer Roland Lovelace and assistant trainer Siobhan Huggins said they were told that track and field practice began Aug. 25. Neither mentioned notification of the Aug. 19 tryout.

Huggins was on campus when Milandu collapsed, reports show, and she was at a scheduled volleyball match.

While associate track coach James Daniels said he sent a text message to Huggins about Milandu’s collapse by mobile phone when it happened, she did not note receiving such a text in her statement .

It was about 8:30 p.m. before either trainer learned of Milandu’s collapse, according to their respective statements.

Statements from coaches were not made available. The university cited attorney-client privilege for withholding the information.

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Courtesy of N.C. A&T

Photo Caption: Jospin Milandu

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Panacea

September 8, 2010 - 12:00 pm EDT

I hope A&T plans to hold the coach "supervising" the tryout accountable. As in firing him.

I also hope A&T plans to investigate the culture of the athletic department; if this is a common practice, then someone needs to be looking at the athletic director culpability.

DaveW

September 8, 2010 - 1:04 pm EDT

Looked on the A&T athletics site.No coaching staff listed this season for track or cross country. They have a meet scheduled for Saturday in Durham.I guess we will see then if they made a coaching change.

disappointedaggie

September 8, 2010 - 1:47 pm EDT

:(

disappointedaggie

September 8, 2010 - 2:16 pm EDT

I am sorry, but something doesnt add up here with what the University and its Chancellor is saying. So, this young man dies and it is all because of phyiscals and no trainers? Would a trainer have detected that the young man complaining of leg pain lead to his death? Do they special medical knowledge? Does the university have medical reports and documentation saying so and they are not sharing such information with the public? Does saying that because it was "unscheduled" explain how 30 people knew of the time and place of the "tryout" but the athletic staff didnt? This is a school of 5,000 or so, not 30,000, this is a small athletic department, how can no one but the coaches and 30 people know something and the atheltic staff doesnt? Does saying that because it was "unscheduled' the trainers would have been there if it was scheduled? What about all of the times the teams including just about all sports there, practiced and had competition without trainers? Are they not policy violations? Or policy violations only noted when it makes the university look bad? If not, this seems all very premature. Why would a University come out and admit and point out "negligence and policy violations" when no one has said that anything was done wrong? no one has questioned the University at all? It is funny how the very next day after this tragic incident, the University came out storming and yelling about policy violations? Why? What are they scared of? What are they hiding? Are they hiding a atheltic department's failure to provide the necessary and basic personnel to all of its teams? Are they hiding the fact that the University allowed Mr. Milandu in as a freshman without a physical on file, violating its own policies? Are they hiding the fact that they dont enforce policies and the trainer policy was verbal, not written? I am sorry but the University's so call truthfulness seems more like an hidden agenda to protect this so called image they "think" they have in the community. But I guess we shouldnt be surprised that the University wants to throw its own coach under the bus, that is how they operate. While they suffer from granduer's of illusions that they are this well respected administration, they are indeed not. the public and community has long been tired of the University's administration lack luster support of its athletic teams included its red headed step child the track program. Where was the university when the track team hosted the NCAA Regionals 3 x? or the Junior Nationals? Where was the praise and comments then? It seems to me this administration is only concerned about what looks good and unforunately, they feel that because this young man died, it looks bad on them. But they are so blind they cant even see, that in order for their to be any negligence on the coach or the university you have to have: duty, breach of that duty, causation and damages. Right now the facts only show duty and damages: there is no causation there is no breach of duty. there is nothing in these facts that suggest or show that his young man died as a result of the trainer not being present and no physical on file. So, it is hard to believe that A&T wants to do the right thing by bringing out these so called violations, when no one was pointing the finger in the first place. It seems more like they want to make themselves look good at the expense of their coach and staff for apperance sakes. While I applaud Gerald Whitt for getting the University to open up, there seems to be alot of unanswered questions about the University's motive and reasoning behind all of this. That in itself is a shame.

Panacea

September 8, 2010 - 6:52 pm EDT

A physical would have alerted a trainer to potential medical problems that could arise during the tryout: like sickle cell trait.

A trainer could have spotted a problem with the athlete early, and intervened early, to prevent a tragic outcome.

Certified athletic trainers do indeed have special training to alert them to medical problems that arise in athletes, from injuries to diagnosed/undiagnosed medical problems that are exacerbated by physical activity.

Unscheduled implies the tryout was not sanctioned by A&T . . . possibly spread by word of mouth. If it were scheduled, trainers would HAVE to be there, per A&T's policies. Physicals would HAVE to be submitted. Waivers would HAVE to be signed. That doesn't mean something tragic couldn't happen . . . but it is less likely to happen, and outcomes are more likely to be better.

If teams are practicing routinely without trainers, then that is an issue for A&T's administration to investigate and take appropriate action. I would not want to be their athletic director right now.

If A&T seems to be double talking, it is because they are trying to limit their own legal liability. Fairly typical behavior, and understandable actually. If they find wrongdoing and deal with those responsible, then all well and good. But even so, they've been exposed to liability in a civil suit.

I think ultimately the question will revolve about whether or not a culture of ignoring the rules exists at A&T, and how high did knowledge of that culture went. I'd imagine pretty high.

datruth25

September 8, 2010 - 7:24 pm EDT

Physicals don't always catch those signs. Most of the time you fill out detailed questionnaire and if you don't check off the right target questions the doctor if it is a doctor preforming the physical may not bring it up. What is odd and needs to be investigated is the fact that the coaching staff has been there for close to 30 years. They would not perform any tryouts or practice prior to Labor day because those winter sports are not allowed to practice before this. So the coaching staff would have known this.

What is also odd if you watched the video where they interviewed the athlete, he said nothing about a tryout.. in fact he mention them running laps on the track, which is odd for a sprinter( google his name to findout) to do for a tryout.

The only team that the coaches would be on the track supervising at this time would be the cross country team because that is the only time that is allowed to practice. SO I highly doubt that a coaching staff of 30 year experience would have been having a tryout. It doesn't really make any sense.

As far as the physical and athletic trainers are concern all you would need to do is ask past and present athletes on all the times how strict that policy was followed by the university and if they had medical staff at there practices and the responses you would get from that would be alarming.

Is it far to fire the coach or coaching staff, that's up for debate but if they will go that route, they should not be the only ones with their jobs on the line.. The NCAA should also take a look into the "policies" that this university follows.

disappointedaggie

September 8, 2010 - 8:59 pm EDT

Actually Panacea....you are incorrect and sadly mistaken. I take it that you dont have that much knowledge in the legal and medical field. That is okay, so I take your comments with a grain of salt. The thing here is, A&T are hypocrites, plain and simple. They want to create this illusion that they follow and enforce policies to a T and have everything in place to follow such policies. AGAIN..you have failed to provide a substantial argument as to causation and breach of duty here. The trainers sit out there for a few minutes, bring water and they leave. They go to the field house and if something happens they are summoned by the coaching staff. Which is what the coach did that day, he looked for a trainer, he called for one and they were not available. So who's fault is that? They dont check for phyiscals, they dont check waivers, they dont stay out there and watch athletes practice, especially not track and other olympic sports. Unscheduled does not mean that it was not sanctioned by the school.How dumb can you be? Obiviously, you have analyzation problems and reasoning and logic issues, because if you didnt you would know that you never ever speak or admit liability before someone accuses you of something. Seems like A&T is scared and they are reactionary, which is a problem with the leadership not the coaches. So you mean to tell me that a trainer would have concluded that physically fit young man, who had trained intensely for months was going to die after complaining of leg pain after JOGGING!! really!!! if you believe that, then you Chancellor Martin, AD Brown and the Tooth Fairy all have something in common, a penchant for believing in illusions of a dream world! But there is no mention of a civil suit or anything, just the thought of it, has the university running scared and acting more like little kids on a school yard playing the blame game, than actual leaders. you seem to be running in the same circle as the chancellor and AD and administration, let's protect ourselves from liability and throw people under the bus because that is okay....what about doing what is right? what about talking more about the loss of this young man's life than policies? oh I forget, his death made the university look bad. That is the only thing that people like you and the administration care about. The apperance of something. The shoulda coulda wouldas. The facts are: A&T's athletic department does not have the basic personnel and eqiupment needed for a Div. I program. Nothing could have prevented this tragic incident. But the fact that A&T is trying to cover it up solely due to politics and appearance is sad and disgraceful.

TOTHE POINT

September 9, 2010 - 2:03 am EDT

Disappointedaggie - I think you need to put your bias and your emotions to the side and get "your facts" right. I have read your postings today and last week and you do not have a clue about NCAA regulations nor do you understand the fact that maybe the folks that you are supporting dropped the ball. You need to re-read what others are saying before you fly off into left field when everyone else is sitting in right. Panacea is very much on target regarding how trainers operate according to NCAA rules. The fact that someone called a practiced does not mean that the AD, and his staff were aware.... you seem to be making the claim that they (athletic department) have a popensity for hiding things. Maybe they do maybe they do not but the fact remains that it is obvious to me that one of those coaches that you are so gamely supporting did call an unofficial practice which is a secondary violation. Trainers would not be present for an unofficial practice. My question would be how long has this been going on and how wide spread is it? You say that the athletic admin must have known about this practice and any others..... well how do you know this? The bottomline here is a young man has lost his life... did the practice cause it .... you or I do not know that but rest assured someone is going to answer for this fact that he lost his life during an event that the university and the NCAA says was unsanctioned.

disappointedaggie

September 9, 2010 - 8:10 am EDT

TO THE POINT: you just pancea are clueless about what really goes on. Do you have any knowledge or experience as a NCAA coach? athlete? trainer? are you an attorney or doctor? if you are not, then just like Panacea, you have no clue how A&T has operated for years. Yes, trainers are SUPPOSE to do the very things that you have listed, BUT the question and problem remains is that at A&T they have never ever done them, that is the hypocrisy. It is not about being bias, but more about being honest. I would have more respect for the university, if they would have just been honest and truthful, they dont follow their policies. I have first hand k nowledge, meaning I have seen or heard the very things I am speaking of. WHICH MEANS I have more knowledge that you THINK you have. The NCAA didnt say it was unsanctioned? how do you know that? If I am bias for the coaches, then you are bias for the university. Again, everyone is pointing out that someone has to pay because this young man lost his life during an event at the university? does that mean that it would be relevant if he was in his room or somewhere else? Is it only relevant because it looks bad that he was on the track? How can you drop the ball when you never ever had a ball to begin with?? That is the question. You can name call and point out things all you want, but the TRUTH is that the University is WRONG WRONG WRONG. They are lying about their policies and personnel and that is WRONG. GUESS WHAT? THEY DONT HAVE TRAINERS FOR SCHEDULED AND OFFICIAL PRACTICES!!! I know that for a fact. I have seen it with my own eyes, teams besides track and field practice without trainers present. The problem I have is the University not owning up to years and years of them not following policies but when it looks bad, they want to throw someone under the bus. I find it funny how engrossed and on the defensive you are and the fact that you are up at 2:03 a.m. in the morning responding to some comments on a local story is bizzare and quite frightening. On that note, I will not be responding any longer or making any comments. People like you freak me out. wowww.....creepy...

Panacea

September 9, 2010 - 9:14 am EDT

I'm a Registered Nurse with 25 years experience, and a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN). I have plenty of experience working with patients who suffer heat stroke, heat exhaustion, athletic injuries, sickle cell disease and more. If you'd spent more time on these blogs you'd know I write extensively on health care issues here.

It's one thing if you disagree with me. But you don't know me, and until you do you can't assume I have a lack of experience in anything.

I'm also a legal nurse consultant (I wear many hats in health care), and am familiar with the legal field as it relates to health care.

If A&T's policy was for a trainer to be present at tryouts, and one was not present, there is a breach of duty regardless of where the trainers usually sit. If the policy is for the trainers to be on the field, and they are not, then there is a breach of duty.

If a physical is required, and a waiver, and they were not checked by the responsible person, then there is a breach of duty. Having had a physical is not a guarantee that things will not go wrong (I said that in my previous post), but it decreases the likelihood, which is the purpose.

A&T is speaking with caution to the public because you do indeed have to worry about liability before you are accused of anything. However, they also have to worry about public relations, and to say nothing at all is very bad PR for a school that already has all kinds of problems. My hunch is, someone is going to get thrown under the bus to protect the school, and that is what A&T is setting up.

Trainers have the ability to assess and determine if leg pain after jogging is simply a cramp, or a sign of something more serious like an electrolyte disorder, lactic acidosis, heat stroke, or some other kind of issue (like an injury). Some catastrophic problems start very subtly. Take a little time to educate yourself on what trainers actually do, and dump your own assumptions.

Next time, simply discuss my statements and leave off the personal attacks.

Gso Resident

September 8, 2010 - 7:18 pm EDT

I could understand one person with no physical even if it were Mr. Milandu --- but twenty - eight ???

Someone has got to be out of their mind to allow any work out at any level of collegiate competition under these circumstances.

I'm sorry to say but I believe there is more oversight, planning insurance policies, credit checks for the homecoming bash than much else right now. It's everyone for themselves until.... ? The A&T staffer who supervised this event probably thought it intrusive to ask for guidance, or there was know one to provide oversight as it may have taken away from much of the univ focus at the moment....Aggie Pride.....? Look it doesn't only happen at A&T but this is the deep end ?

The legislature is right for pulling general funding for A&T or any of its colleges until these kinds of no brainers are are excised from the system.

saabman

September 9, 2010 - 5:33 am EDT

Did anyone address the NCAA policy on Voluntary practices ? (their is none)!! what is missing here is this @ VOLUNTARY PRACTICE TRAINERS/COACHES DO NOT HAVE TO BE ON SITE! because it is VOLUNTARY!! OK now What did (A & T) receive from the NCAA on this.? The N C A A will do their own investigation in the invent of the Death of a Student-Athlete (only if he/she is on scholarship are a preferred walk on)! ! Was their an Investigation ? (Not A & T's) BUT the N C A A's? Any Major infractions? If the young man was not on scholarship it is not the schools responsibility to provide/pay for his physical!! He provides that information on his on. Now the problem I see is (1) The young man did not provide a Physical exam and yes someone should have asked about it. I coach Track and field here at South Plains college here in Texas and I must say this that if it was a open Voluntary practice you can not put that on the coach are the trainers. If you have a problem with what I have said go tohttp://www.ncaa.org .

disappointedaggie

September 9, 2010 - 8:11 am EDT

Finally someone with some knowledge about what is really going on!

TOTHE POINT

September 9, 2010 - 4:56 pm EDT

Well now "Saabman" if I remember correctly the South Plains College that I use to work for in Levelland was a Junion College where the rules and regulations are a bit different from the NCAA. Also if you truely are the track coach at South Plains than you will truly know who I am and that I do know what I am talking about. The key word here which "Disappointedaggie" seems to be missing is that in all of the earlier related articles on this subject said that the event was a "TRYOUT". If it indeed was a 'TRYOUT" "DisappointedAggie" is saying that the university and the athletic admin knew this.... I am finding that very hard to believe. One of the past articles also said that the athlete made the track team. How does one make the team if it is not an official practice like the powers-that-be are saying it was not. If it was official than a certified trainer was suppose to be there. DisappointedAggie is saying it was an official practice. Sorry to say wheather you like it or not.... someone is going to be held accountable for this and that might be seen by some as being thrown under the bus. In closing to DisappointedAggie, I am speaking with 30 years of NCAA experience and would probably be able to say without a blink that I probably know more about NC A&T and its athletic program than you think I know. I am saddened that this young man lost his life and I can not say why he lost his life. But, I will say that this issue stinks and that we have not heard the last of it.....

Gerald Witt

September 9, 2010 - 9:23 am EDT

Here's the NCAA policy on requirements for physicals:

17.1.5 - Mandatory Medical Examination.

Prior to participation in any practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities (or in Division I, permissible voluntary summer conditioning in basketball and football or voluntary individual workouts pursuant to the safety exception), student-athletes who are beginning their initial season of eligibility and students who are trying out for a team shall be required to undergo a medical examination or evaluation administered or supervised by a physician (e.g., family physician, team physician). The examination or evaluation must be administered within six months prior to participation in any practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities. In following years, an updated history of the student-athlete's medical condition shall be administered by an institutional medical staff member (e.g., sports medicine staff, team physician) to determine if additional examinations (e.g., physical, cardiovascular, neurological) are required. The updated history must be administered within six months prior to the student-athlete's participation in any practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities for the applicable academic year.

TruthHurts336

September 9, 2010 - 7:01 pm EDT

Actually all of you are right to some degree. IF (and thats a huge if) there are WRITTEN Athletics policies regarding athletics trainers being present at all practices and competitions, this policy has never been followed. Last year there were 3 certified athletic trainers on staff - the most certified athletic trainers I have ever known to be working at A&T at the same time. At certain points in the year, you can have as many as many as 6 teams practicing (men's and women's basketball, football, volleyball, swimming, and bowling). Believe me, there has never been enough coverage for all of the activities for all teams. As much as every student-athlete deserves to have an athletic trainer on-site, and as much as coaches have requested it, there have never been enough to accomodate everyone's needs. Instead of Wheeler Brown acknowledging this, and using this as an opportunity to gain the needed support to meet the needs of the athletes, and get funding to provide additional athletic training services so that there is appropriate coverage - and so this mystical policy can be adhered to - he decides to cover his butt and throw the track coaches under the bus. I am not saying the track coaches are completely innocent, however, they were just doing what they have always done. If the policies that are supposedly in place have never been enforced (heck, it is difficult to enforce a policy that has never been shared with the staff or adhered to), who is to blame - the person who is supposed to communicate and enforce the policy or the person who is supposed to adhere to it?

Also, in some article regarding this incident, I read that the chancellor placed Wheeler Brown and Deborah Callaway on the investigation team. Why would you place the Athletic Director and the Special Assistant to the Chancellor, who was very recently Athletic Personnell on a team to investigate themselves???? Why not an outside entity? The truth will not be revealed this way - and even if it is, we certainly will never hear it.

saabman

September 10, 2010 - 12:27 am EDT

Again we have all agreed to dis agree. It is not true that (JC) rules are any different then the 4 year college rules. Now we all fall under the same governing body. The NCAA's new rule states that upon entering ninth grade, athletes have four years to meet the eligibility standards in core academic courses to participate in college athletics; following those four years, they may take only one additional core course at any high school recognized by the NCAA. And beginning in 2008, recruits also will need to complete 16 core courses instead of 14, which will make it harder for players to become academically eligible after four years of high school. See NCAA Guide lines Chapter ( 4 ).Now this is not about who is right and who knows this are that! Their is something a mist in A & T's program. Do they even have a compliance officer for the athletic department? Did the athlete provide the Medical Examination paper work 6 months in advance before participation in any practice weather voluntary are not? If this was a try out which I find that hard to believe . Was it a posted are by word of mouth ? Certified trainers see NCAA Legislation Involving Health and Safety Issues
Mandatory Medical Examinations 17.1.5 All student-athletes beginning their initial
season of eligibility must undergo a medical
exam before they are permitted to engage in
any physical activity. The exam must take
place within six months before the physical
activity. Each subsequent year, an updated
medical history must be administered by an
institutional medical staff member.
Five-Day Acclimatization Period – 17.11.2.3 Five-day acclimatization for conducting
Football administrative and initial practices is
required for first-time participants (freshmen
and transfers) and continuing student-ath-
letes.
Preseason Practice Activities – 17.11.2.4 Preseason practice time limitations and
Football general regulations.
Out-of-Season Athletics-Related 17.11.6 Permissible summer conditioning activities.
Football Activities (Div. I and
Div. III),
17.11.8
(Div. II)
Sport-specific Safety Exceptions 13.11.3.10 A coach may be present during voluntary
(Archery; Equestrian; Fencing; (Div. I); individual workouts in the institution’s regular
Gymnastics; Rifle; Women’s Rowing; 17.2.7; practice facility (without the workouts being
Skiing; Swimming; Synchronized 17.8.7; considered as countable athletics-related
Swimming; Track and Field; Water 17.9.7; activities) when the student-athlete uses
Polo; and Wrestling.) 17.13.7; sport-specific equipment. The coach may
(Div. I and Div. II only) 17.16.7; provide safety or skill instruction but cannot
17.17.7 conduct the individual’s workouts.
(Div. I),
17.17.9
(Div. II);
17.19.7;
17.23.7;
17.24.7;
17.27.7;
17.29.8;
17.30.7
Playing Rules Oversight Panel 21.1.6.1 The panel, subject to the discretion of the
Executive Committee, shall be responsible for
resolving issues involving player safety, finan-
cial impact or image of the game that do not
have unanimous Division I, II or III support.
TOTHE POINT could it be possible that the kids called a practice and just passed the word around to their friends and other that they knew could help the team. But things went wrong ? Could that have been the case? It has happened before !
The lose of a life is never a good thing . Some times it opens doors to better things that can help others along the way . From the comments about the young that I have read They/We are all blessed to have known a person of that caliber that would put his heart/life on the line for something that they Love. A & T needs more young men and women like that in the Aggie family. Things will come out ok it's just another step in the highway of life . God bless Mr Milandu and his family and all Aggies. IT WILL BE AS IT IS!!

TOTHE POINT

September 10, 2010 - 8:43 am EDT

Saabman. I am really saddened that this young man has lost his life. Who is responsible, if any one is, I am not qualified to say. But, I am really saddened for his family. Regarding your comment could the kids have got together and called a practice..... they could have. However, as I mentioned before... the key here is the comment in one of the earlier articles that stated that the young man "made the team". Kids coming together to have an unofficial practice can not say who made or did not make the team. Only the coach can do that. This morning there was another article that says the coach "Spaceman" called for help. This is indeed new information. The fact that he was there does that mean this was an official practice or was the coach acting independently? The legal issue here is whether coach was there officially or unofficially - none, (according to another article) of the twenty-plus participants had physical examinations clearing them to participate.Each day there seems to be more and more information that does not look good for A&T or the coaching staff.

Victim

September 10, 2010 - 3:07 am EDT

I really feel bad for the family they have become another statistics in the A&T Administration victims list. A&T currently has so many law suits against them regarding personnel matters that they are currently playing the stall game on. It's really sad when Admintrators are indicating that they are in the process of hiring a Head Atheletics Trainer and a Assistant Atheletic Trainer by stating they are in the process of hiring. Everyone on campus knows that these trainers were giving a verbal commitment. They should be very careful, because A&T has a tendency to promise temporary employees permanent positions and then release then replace them when they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar for letting them work beyond the time alloted. The majority of trainers are students who are not certified. I hate to say it but it is not like Hackley did not try to warn everyone about the problems with personnel four years ago that to this day have not been resolved. This is just another law suit added to the over 200 that are currently in progess. The last athlete that died on the field has a law suit pending. Anita Huff has had a 10 million dollar law suit pending for almost four years. Patrice Bernard won her law suit and they arrested her the next day on some trumped up charges.

The Head Trainer;s job is to coordinate with doctors, the AD and coaches. A&T did not have one so 28 kids and counting lives were in jeopardy. Brown was the compliance officer and now the AD why did he wait so late in the game to hire a compliance officer and Head Trainer? To give any indication that he is now responsible for compliance is a slap in the face to this family. The compliance officer works for the AD therefore this was already his respoinsibility. Vice Chancellor of HR, Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance and the AD did not properly execute the job descriptions for the Head Trainer and the Assistance Trainer in the appropriate manner. This family not only needs to sue A&T, but file some personal lawsuits to wake Administrators up, letting them know that a lot of responsibility comes with those hefty salaries.

I am just amazed at how long it is taking the Chancellor to hold people accountable for doing their job. Yes he is the Chancellor, but if they cannot do their job why does he need them if he has to do their job and look over their shoulder. When is this Administration going to start fixing these personnel issues that are causing all of these problems. Every incident lately has been related to PERSONNEL when are they going to realize they are not going to just go away if they are not addressed problems will continue to escalate and trickle down. Telling them that the economy is bad and they should be glad to have a job is unacceptable when they are continuing to get raises. Administrators at A&T received raises when everyone else took furloughs. Temporary employees have been on staff while the university is under a reduction in force. People are being investigated for security breaches when there are absolutely no policies and the ones that are in place are useless. HR audits have not been released and the IT audit revealed that IT does not even have a organizational chart. Personnel issues have escalated to levels where employees are actually fighting each other. Staff and faculty are working at a third of capacity. And please take down the Board of Trustees website if you are not going to post anything on it. The last posting was in November and April which makes the unversity look very incompetent.

This childs death is a result of negligence and was a accident waiting to happen and we are waiting on someone to be held accountable.

saabman

September 10, 2010 - 1:14 pm EDT

TOTHE POINT = It is not out of the ordinary for a couch to be at an supervised voluntary open tryout . The point that I am having a problem with is "How did the 20 something kids find out about the tryout? Someone must be holding something back ? Even at south plains the kids have their system of getting the word out sometime they ask us before we even post the information. Now that it is being called ( .supervised voluntary open tryout ) puts a different spin on it.

VICTIM = Posted something that was interesting (I really feel bad for the family they have become another statistics in the A&T Administration victims list. A&T currently has so many law suits against them regarding personnel matters that they are currently playing the stall game on. It's really sad when Admintrators are indicating that they are in the process of hiring a Head Atheletics Trainer and a Assistant Atheletic Trainer by stating they are in the process of hiring. Everyone on campus knows that these trainers were giving a verbal commitment. They should be very careful, because A&T has a tendency to promise temporary employees permanent positions and then release then replace them when they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar for letting them work beyond the time alloted. The majority of trainers are students who are not certified. I hate to say it but it is not like Hackley did not try to warn everyone about the problems with personnel four years ago that to this day have not been resolved. This is just another law suit added to the over 200 that are currently in process. The last athlete that died on the field has a law suit pending. Anita Huff has had a 10 million dollar law suit pending for almost four years. Patrice Bernard won her law suit and they arrested her the next day on some trumped up charges. ) I hope that this is not true??? I looked in to the North Carolina A&T University Staff Directory and could not find any Trainers listed ? WHAT THE FLIP IS GOING ON OVER THEIR?

TruthHurts336

September 10, 2010 - 3:37 pm EDT

Saabman,, there is at least one certified athletic trainer currently working at A&T, however, as 'Victim' stated A&T has the habit - especially in athletics - of 'hiring' employees without going through the proper channels. If a position is open, instead of posting the position for the required number of days, they will fill the position, and the person will be working 'unofficially'. Many times by the time a position is even posted on A&T's employment website, the postion has already been filled.

So, yes, there is currently a certified athletic trainer covering A&T sports. Maybe the sports info folks have not updated the website yet with their new info, or maybe they are not officially on staff yet...

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