"This is nothing short of heroic." — Indian Valley Superintendent Ira Wentworth. "Regardless of the final score, (the weekend of Sept. 14 and 15) has been a victory in what true sportsmanship and rallying together is all about." — Sandy Valley Superintendent David J. Fischer

The daily work of a school athletic trainer consists of evaluating injuries, treating injuries, applying tape, testing for concussions and helping to conduct physical evaluations before practices begin.

And even though athletic trainers are prepared and trained to treat emergencies such as heart attacks, it’s not something they do regularly, if ever, in their career, according to Bethany Lewis, who serves Indian Valley Local Schools as an athletic trainer under a contract with Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital of Dover.

But on the evening of Sept. 14, when the visiting Indian Valley Braves faced the Sandy Valley Cardinals on their home turf, the athletic trainers for each high school's team sprang into action when a referee fell onto the field.

"I went to work expecting it to be like any other football Friday night. I was prepared to deal with possible athletic injuries, but never expected that I would have to perform emergency services to save a life," Lewis told The Times-Reporter.

"It was a very busy night on the sidelines for me," said Sandy Valley trainer Erin Hodgson. "I was helping an athlete when someone screamed 'official down!'

"I had my back to the situation so I did not see what happened to him. Most of the time when an official goes down it is because they got tangled up in the play.

"I took off running like I normally do, but I could tell this was more serious before I reached the scene," Hodgson said.

"I was down around the 20-yard line following the play when I heard someone say that an official went down at the opposite end of the field," Lewis said. "I immediately took off running to his aid and found him unresponsive."

Lewis said Hodgson joined her on the field within seconds. Both recognized that the official was breathing abnormally and was possibly in cardiac arrest. Hodgson called for the automated external defibrillator, which checks the heart's rhythm and sends a shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. Lewis began chest compressions. Hodgson was about to give him breaths when the AED arrived.

"I handed my scissors off to someone to cut his shirt off while I prepared the AED," Hodgson said. "The EMTs who were at the game arrived on scene with the ambulance. I gave the official one shock with the AED before he was loaded into the back of the ambulance."

"Before I knew it, there were EMTs and skilled nurses from the stands rushing onto the field to lend a helping hand," Lewis said. "It was a flurry of activity."

The official was transported to Aultman Hospital, where he was reportedly recovering the next day.

"I believe the quick and collective response from all those involved is what saved this gentleman’s life," Lewis said. "I don't think I did anything extraordinary, I just did what I had to do. I am thankful I had others around willing to help. I am humbled by this experience."

"I am so thankful that I was not alone," Hodgson said, "and that I had Bethany, Tri-Division Ambulance, and an AED there. EMTs and paramedics have dealt with these situations numerous times, but it was a first for Bethany and I."

Both women said the incident demonstrates the value of their work. Each earned bachelor's degrees to become athletic trainers. Lewis studied at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, and Hodgson, at Kent State University.

"I hope athletic training will become a more recognized profession," Lewis said. "Most of the time, our work is done behind the scenes, but every once in awhile, in a situation such as this, it’s a reminder of how important it is to have an athletic trainer on the sideline."

Superintendents from Sandy Valley and Indian Valley had praise for their trainers.

"Everyone is grateful for Bethany's response that night," Indian Valley Superintendent Ira Wentworth said. "It was a very somber experience to watch her help save the referee's life. Her awareness and preparation were evident, as was her humility afterwards. This is nothing short of heroic."

Sandy Valley Superintendent David J. Fischer concurred.

"Although we practice regular emergency scenarios, Friday, Sept. 14, showed the true care and preparedness that both schools' athletic trainers possessed," he said. "That evening, it was very obvious to me that the official was in the care of true professionals.

"Sandy Valley would also like to thank the first responders, coaches, school administrators and all fans with medical expertise who provided support on the field. Sandy Valley would also like to thank the students, parents, and fans of both Sandy Valley and Indian Valley who, in the spirit of true sportsmanship, realized that some things in life are bigger than a game."

Game play was suspended after the official's collapse in the second quarter, and resumed the next day, Sept. 15.

"Regardless of the final score, (the weekend of Sept. 14 and 15) has been a victory in what true sportsmanship and rallying together is all about," Fischer said.



Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR