LITTLE ROCK — A combination of heat and exertion on a 5-11, "300-plus" pound frame killed Arkansas Baptist College defensive lineman Courtney Stone, according to Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper.
Stone, a freshman from Earle, collapsed shortly after an Aug. 12 morning football practice and died twodays later. He was 18.
Camper said Monday that Stone's body was essentially overtaxed by the demands of physical activity and heat, and while he did not have his exact weight available, Camper said Stone was "300-plus pounds."
Stone was admitted to St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock after collapsing during a post practice meeting that took place in a shaded area under a tree. The practice had concluded with sprints, though the players were not in full pads and had not been involved in heavy contact drills.
Stone's death will be ruled an accident, which corresponds to the results of an internal investigation by Arkansas Baptist College. The football practice where Stone collapsed took place at the Dalton Whetstone Boys and Girls Club in southwest Little Rock, and while a certified athletic trainer was on-site during the practice, a trainer was not present 10 minutes afterward, which was when Stone collapsed, according to Arkansas Baptist College Coach Richard Wilson.
Wilson and the school's president, Fitz Hill, did not immediately return phone calls and text messages seeking comment on the coroner's report. Arkansas Baptist College, located in Little Rock, is in its third season of offering football and is the state's only junior college football program.
A toxicology report on Stone showed no traces of drugs, alcohol or any substances that could have accelerated the overheating process, Camper said. Camper and his staff interviewed every player, coach and support staff member who were present at the practice and determined water was readily available for the players during the workout.
"I had every investigator in my office but one working on this case," Camper said.
Camper said that out of the approximately 150 football players to whom he spoke, 18 to 20 said there was not enough water available.
"We looked into it, and there was water at practice," Camper said. "Some kids don't get as much water as they would like."
Sports, Pages 13, 17 on 09/22/2009