A University of Iowa marching band member has been taken off life support after collapsing during extreme heat at the Hawkeyes’ season-opening football game on Saturday, his family said. Derek Phillips, a third-year student from Dubuque, Iowa, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest shortly before the band was scheduled to perform its half-time show against Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium, according to a message posted to his Instagram account by his family. Phillips was taken to University of Iowa Health Care, where he was treated in intensive care.
His family said the cardiac arrest caused severe brain damage and that they made the decision to remove him from life support. It was 90F (32C) at kickoff, making it the fourth-hottest home football game in Iowa history, according to the university. The heat index made conditions feel hotter and Iowa took several precautions ahead of the game.
Fans were permitted to bring water bottles into the stadium, while start times for several other athletic events over the weekend were changed because of the forecast. The marching band also wore alternate uniforms of shorts and T-shirts rather than its traditional wool uniforms. It performed its usual pre-game program but canceled its half-time performance.
This is heartbreaking for everyone who cares for him. The university is in close contact and is offering support.” The university said counselors were made available this week to students in the marching band and School of Music. Phillips played horn in the Hawkeye Marching Band and studied business analytics and information systems at Iowa.
He had spent the summer touring with a drum and bugle corps, according to his family. His family described him as someone who brought “so much light, humor and kindness into this world” and whose life revolved around music.
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