19 high school football players hospitalized after practice in extreme heat, lawyers say

[Muda69]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/09/09/19-hs-football-players-hospitalized-after-practice-in-extreme-heat-lawyers-say/86051935007/

Quote

Attorneys at the Indianapolis law firm CohenMalad are working with high school football players in Fort Wayne and their parents after allegations that the athletes "were left in serious condition after a required practice and scrimmage in extreme heat conditions," CohenMalad says.

On August 8 and 9, players at Snider High School were allegedly forced to perform strenuous training in full gear without adequate breaks, shade or water. Temperatures those days reached into the high 80s and low 90s.

"Parents have told us their children experienced heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other serious medical conditions as a result," CohenMalad said in a written statement. "Our team is actively investigating this matter after multiple reports and information received by our office."

After its initial investigation, the law firm says 19 students have been hospitalized since the Aug. 9 scrimmage, and one player was transferred to a hospital in Indianapolis for advanced care due to the severity of his condition. Several other players remained hospitalized in Fort Wayne six days after the practices, CohenMalad says.

IndyStar reached out to Fort Wayne Community Schools but did not immediately receive a response.

The school released a statement to television station WANE 15 in Fort Wayne Aug. 12.

"Our focus continues to be on our students and families and their health and well-being. It is concerning that a number of students on the same team have fallen ill with similar symptoms," the statement read. "At this point, however, there has been no conclusion as to what caused them to become ill over the course of several days."

A day later, the school system issued a second statement that read:

"FWCS has clear heat advisory guidelines, and our investigation confirmed those guidelines were followed. Fort Wayne Community Schools has reached out to the Allen County Department of Health for assistance in identifying any connection between the illnesses. We will continue to work directly with the students and families affected and monitor others on the team for any similar symptoms."

IndyStar asked Tuesday to speak with students and parents involved in the case through CohenMalad.

"Thank you for reaching out to our firm about this matter," Barbara Bates, director of communications and marketing for CohenMalad wrote in an email to IndyStar. "Attorney Greg Laker will be speaking with families of players over the next few days to discuss what they are comfortable with at this time."

Heads are going to roll.  Is this the end for organized tackle football for FW Snider, and maybe the entire FWCS?  

 

[Komets2727]

1 hour ago, Muda69 said:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/09/09/19-hs-football-players-hospitalized-after-practice-in-extreme-heat-lawyers-say/86051935007/

Heads are going to roll.  Is this the end for organized tackle football for FW Snider, and maybe the entire FWCS?  

 

Don’t be ridiculous. Is it a bad look? Absolutely. Does that mean football is over in Fort Wayne? No

[Muda69]

1 hour ago, Komets2727 said:

Don’t be ridiculous. Is it a bad look? Absolutely. Does that mean football is over in Fort Wayne? No

Depends on the lawsuits and how much FWCS, and by extension the taxpayers, will have to pay out.  

[23andCounting]

17 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

Depends on the lawsuits and how much FWCS, and by extension the taxpayers, will have to pay out.  

Or could FWCS's have an attorney up here in Fort Wayne who'll have this thrown out as a "laughable" case? Not saying the situation was a laughable matter, just saying there may not be a case in the first place. All you're doing is speculating on something you know absolutely nothing about. 

[tango]

2 hours ago, 23andCounting said:

Or could FWCS's have an attorney up here in Fort Wayne who'll have this thrown out as a "laughable" case? Not saying the situation was a laughable matter, just saying there may not be a case in the first place. All you're doing is speculating on something you know absolutely nothing about. 

Oh, I'd take that case. Easy money. Gross negligence to not provide water and breaks in extreme heat. But at least the Snyder coaches are tough guys, right?

[23andCounting]

7 hours ago, tango said:

Oh, I'd take that case. Easy money. Gross negligence to not provide water and breaks in extreme heat. But at least the Snyder coaches are tough guys, right?

Don't make too big of a jackass out of yourself from all the way down in Evansville. I'm sure this topic is already on thin ice with the administrators. There's kind of a thing here regarding "speculation." And it's Snider with an "i".

Edited September 10, 2025 by 23andCounting

[Muda69]

11 hours ago, 23andCounting said:

All you're doing is speculating on something you know absolutely nothing about. 

Yeah, aren't internet message boards great?

If you know all the facts surrounding this tragic event why don't spill them for us, Chief?

 

[tango]

1 hour ago, 23andCounting said:

Don't make too big of a jackass out of yourself from all the way down in Evansville. I'm sure this topic is already on thin ice with the administrators. There's kind of a thing here regarding "speculation." And it's Snider with an "i".

I'd still take the case. Why don't you contribute to the GID and become a booster before you call the folks who do contribute mean names?

[Bobref]

Just some background info.

• Claims based on injuries allegedly caused by school officials are governed by Indiana’s Tort Claims Act. Under the Act, you can’t sue individual school employees based on acts committed in the course of their employment. The proper defendant in such cases is the school corporation. The negligent employees are not personally liable.
• Under the ITCA, a person injured has to file a notice with the schoo of intent to make a claim within 6 months of the injury. Failure to do so bars the claim.
• if the claim is successful, the maximum amount an injured person can recover is $700,000.
• Punitive damages are not available under the ITCA.

[Bobref]

9 hours ago, tango said:

Oh, I'd take that case. Easy money. Gross negligence to not provide water and breaks in extreme heat. But at least the Snyder coaches are tough guys, right?

I’ll be very surprised if this is the case. The IHSAA requires that every school have protocols in place to prevent heat-related illnesses, and to deal with them on an emergency basis if they occur.  On the other hand, thinking like a lawyer, these well-established protocols provide a road map to a successful lawsuit if they’re not followed.

What has been publicly revealed about this so far? Has it been confirmed that these were hear-related illnesses, as distinguished from some sort of a virus that was exacerbated by heat and physical activity?

Edited September 10, 2025 by Bobref

[Justasportsfan]

I will (speak) type out of both sides of my mouth on this one. This scenario has happened quite too frequently, this year is the first time with so many players involved though. The staff told players to push through it, as in previous years, I will also say Snider is probably not the first program to have players suffer heat related illness' and have a student fall out or experience full body cramps causing them to miss school and potentially a game. Before now, the program has kept these incidents under wraps as many others probably have. I am only wildly guessing that other programs have similar issues that never get reported for whatever reason. Kids complain about being in the heat, coaches and trainers draw the line about when its too much, however, they get blurred and things happen. If Snider is the only program where this happens I would be shocked. I am also shocked that as former players we never knew the harm we could actually be facing during these workouts.

[23andCounting]

4 hours ago, tango said:

I'd still take the case. Why don't you contribute to the GID and become a booster before you call the folks who do contribute mean names?

Said the guy coming up with his own names for the Snider coaches whom he knows nothing about.

[23andCounting]

4 hours ago, Muda69 said:

Yeah, aren't internet message boards great?

If you know all the facts surrounding this tragic event why don't spill them for us, Chief?

 

It's all speculation, like a said. I don't know anymore than you do. Don't recall claiming that I do. 

[23andCounting]

3 hours ago, Bobref said:

I’ll be very surprised if this is the case. The IHSAA requires that every school have protocols in place to prevent heat-related illnesses, and to deal with them on an emergency basis if they occur.  On the other hand, thinking like a lawyer, these well-established protocols provide a road map to a successful lawsuit if they’re not followed.

What has been publicly revealed about this so far? Has it been confirmed that these were hear-related illnesses, as distinguished from some sort of a virus that was exacerbated by heat and physical activity?

All the more reason why I think a good attorney from Fort Wayne could make this case disappear. The statement from Snider said that protocols were followed. Comes down to "he said she said". Just my thoughts. 

51 minutes ago, Justasportsfan said:

I will (speak) type out of both sides of my mouth on this one. This scenario has happened quite too frequently, this year is the first time with so many players involved though. The staff told players to push through it, as in previous years, I will also say Snider is probably not the first program to have players suffer heat related illness' and have a student fall out or experience full body cramps causing them to miss school and potentially a game. Before now, the program has kept these incidents under wraps as many others probably have. I am only wildly guessing that other programs have similar issues that never get reported for whatever reason. Kids complain about being in the heat, coaches and trainers draw the line about when its too much, however, they get blurred and things happen. If Snider is the only program where this happens I would be shocked. I am also shocked that as former players we never knew the harm we could actually be facing during these workouts.

Could also come down to a lazy parent looking for an easy payday. 

[Justasportsfan]

27 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

 

Could also come down to a lazy parent looking for an easy payday. 

Yes or an over zealous relative. Problem is, one is definitely a legacy kid whose dad and uncles played for the panthers in their hey day. Kid was a stud last year too. I work with pediatric patients and their families. Had the opportunity to meet with a few, their care team did say same some cases were extreme. Not all 19 of course, yet a few were in dire conditions. These players have yet to suit up this year.

Edited September 10, 2025 by Justasportsfan

[23andCounting]

12 minutes ago, Justasportsfan said:

Yes or an over zealous relative. Problem is, one is definitely a legacy kid whose dad and uncles played for the panthers in their hey day. Kid was a stud last year too. I work with pediatric patients and their families. Had the opportunity to meet with a few, their care team did say same some cases were extreme. Not all 19 of course, yet a few were in dire conditions. These players have yet to suit up this year.

Saw him yesterday. Seemed to be in good spirits running around in a Snider football tee shirt. Yeah, the name is legendary at Snider, wonders how he got caught up in this mess. 

[btownqbcoach1]

1 hour ago, Justasportsfan said:

I will (speak) type out of both sides of my mouth on this one. This scenario has happened quite too frequently, this year is the first time with so many players involved though. The staff told players to push through it, as in previous years, I will also say Snider is probably not the first program to have players suffer heat related illness' and have a student fall out or experience full body cramps causing them to miss school and potentially a game. Before now, the program has kept these incidents under wraps as many others probably have. I am only wildly guessing that other programs have similar issues that never get reported for whatever reason. Kids complain about being in the heat, coaches and trainers draw the line about when its too much, however, they get blurred and things happen. If Snider is the only program where this happens I would be shocked. I am also shocked that as former players we never knew the harm we could actually be facing during these workouts.

why weren't you aware of the risks? 

[tango]

50 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Said the guy coming up with his own names for the Snider coaches whom he knows nothing about.

Says the guy who doesn't contribute to the GID...

[23andCounting]

6 minutes ago, tango said:

Says the guy who doesn't contribute to the GID...

Really, that's it? Lol, you're banned from this thread. 

Edited September 10, 2025 by 23andCounting

[Justasportsfan]

48 minutes ago, btownqbcoach1 said:

why weren't you aware of the risks? 

As athletes, kids are told to listen to their coaches and training staff..we fall out, we go home hydrate and rest. Back in the day you never really heard of student athletes passing away due to practice conditions and for the most part you feel invincible as a high schooler. You say I cant go anymore coach, they direct you to do sit ups and push ups, once you cant do that and go into full body cramp is when the trainer says too much. If I thought there was a chance of death on the practice field due to conditioning I would have stopped and possibly quit. It was unknown subject at that time. These kids now a days wear heart monitors and everything else. I know its silly yet as kids we dont really think about our own health. 

48 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Saw him yesterday. Seemed to be in good spirits running around in a Snider football tee shirt. Yeah, the name is legendary at Snider, wonders how he got caught up in this mess. 

Either an aunt or grandmother.

Edited September 10, 2025 by Justasportsfan

[btownqbcoach1]

4 minutes ago, Justasportsfan said:

As athletes, kids are told to listen to their coaches and training staff..we fall out, we go home hydrate and rest. Back in the day you never really heard of student athletes passing away due to practice conditions and for the most part you feel invincible as a high schooler. You say I cant go anymore coach, they direct you to do sit ups and push ups, once you cant do that and go into full body cramp is when the trainer says too much. If I thought there was a chance of death on the practice field due to conditioning I would have stopped and possibly quit. It was unknown subject at that time. These kids now a days wear heart monitors and everything else. I know its silly yet as kids we dont really think about our own health. 

Either an aunt or grandmother.

I mean.. I graduated in 2009 and was well aware of every risk. I was also accumulated to the heat and properly hydrated. 

I told my coach I was dizzy one time and I sat the rest of practice. That was 2005. 

[Justasportsfan]

6 minutes ago, btownqbcoach1 said:

I mean.. I graduated in 2009 and was well aware of every risk. I was also accumulated to the heat and properly hydrated. 

I told my coach I was dizzy one time and I sat the rest of practice. That was 2005. 

I hear ya, 3 sport guy myself who thought I was good in all temps in those 2000's. We would occasionally have someone throw up and keep going.. Dizzy would have gotten water and walk a lap. We trusted our staff to ensure we were properly hydrated yet we were not allowed water whenever we wanted during our 3 a days.. An all conference lineman lay flat on his face, kicked by the coach while yelling for him to get up. Once he didnt move, the trainer stepped in. He was back at practice the next day. I'll ask you this, if your coach told you to keep going after you told him you were dizzy, would you? Would you have feared any repercussions from stopping on your own accord? 

[btownqbcoach1]

3 minutes ago, Justasportsfan said:

I hear ya, 3 sport guy myself who thought I was good in all temps in those 2000's. We would occasionally have someone throw up and keep going.. Dizzy would have gotten water and walk a lap. We trusted our staff to ensure we were properly hydrated yet we were not allowed water whenever we wanted during our 3 a days.. An all conference lineman lay flat on his face, kicked by the coach while yelling for him to get up. Once he didnt move, the trainer stepped in. He was back at practice the next day. I'll ask you this, if your coach told you to keep going after you told him you were dizzy, would you? Would you have feared any repercussions from stopping on your own accord? 

I'm confused by your question... because, again, my coach would NEVER do that to me/us. 

Verbatim at the time.... before practice, "if you feel dizzy or not right, SIT OUT and tell a coach"... I played for (and now coach under) a HOFer. We also DIDN'T have a trainer. 

 

What you're describing is negligence as a coach and disgusting behavior. We were educated on what could happen to us in the heat, though. 

[23andCounting]

40 minutes ago, Justasportsfan said:

Either an aunt or grandmother.

Attorney from Indy: Pounces like a wolf in a community two hours away. Needs the money to support his million dollar home, BMW, and wife's daily trips to Starbucks in the morning/lunch with friends in the afternoon. 

Attorney from Fort Wayne: Good luck proving your claim. Probably an open and shut case. More than likely going to chew this guy up and spit him out. 

Parents making the claim: Well, we want a BMW too........we just don't want to have to work for it. Hopefully and easy $700,000 grand that most hard working people have to work 10 years to accumulate. 

Kid: Shrugs shoulders, sits on the sidelines and waits. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Sides with parents. Oh well, some guy from Indy made it easy for us to transfer wherever we want. 

High school football is becoming a train wreck. Losing interest fast.

[Justasportsfan]

2 minutes ago, btownqbcoach1 said:

I'm confused by your question... because, again, my coach would NEVER do that to me/us. 

Verbatim at the time.... before practice, "if you feel dizzy or not right, SIT OUT and tell a coach"... I played for (and now coach under) a HOFer. We also DIDN'T have a trainer. 

 

What you're describing is negligence as a coach and disgusting behavior. We were educated on what could happen to us in the heat, though. 

Snider has always had medical staff at practices, trainers and sometimes doctors. As with this case, the student athletes spoke with the athletic trainer who told them to "push through it". I can not disagree with you on the negligence and behavior of the coach. I do not recall any staff member ever speaking about heat related illness'.