Opponent’s grandfather is the winner at SHS girls’ basketball game

by Laura Whitaker

At an SHS girls’ home basketball game against Manchester on January 6, the unthinkable happened. The grandfather of a player on the opposing team went into cardiac arrest in the stands during the third quarter.

Many spectators jumped into action to assist, including two Stockbridge parents with medical backgrounds. Several people called 911, and the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) machine was requested. Once attached, the AED protocol was followed and helped bring the player’s grandfather back to consciousness.

The Stockbridge Police and Stockbridge Area Emergency Services Authority (SAESA) arrived within minutes and continued to work with the man. He was alert and taken to Chelsea Hospital and later transferred to Henry Ford in Jackson.

While game play was suspended, the Manchester team was asked if they wanted to continue playing or call the game. The decision was made to continue the game.

All in all, the incident and response took very little time, and thanks to the quick attention of spectators, parents, staff members, police, and SAESA, the man’s life was saved.

The day after the incident, the man’s daughter wrote the following in an email to School Superintendent Brian Friddle, Junior High Principal Meghan Kunzelman, Athletic Director Ernie Rivers, and Athletic Trainer Meghan Hampton and requested that the message also be passed along to the coach:

“I just want to reach out and express how thankful I am for you all. You saved my dad’s life last night. Without your quick action and knowing what to do, he would not be with us today. Words cannot express my gratitude. My parents live in the country and without the defibrillator, quick CPR, and fast response of the ambulance, he wouldn’t be alive today. Thank you from my whole family.”