Former Wando High football standout dies during workout
CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Ja'Quayvin Smalls, a former Wando High School football standout who recently transferred to Western Carolina, died Wednesday night after collapsing during an offseason workout.
FILE/STAFF
Former Wando High School defensive back Ja'Quayvin Smalls, a North-South All-Star Game selection in 2006, died Wednesday night.
Smalls, the son of Henry and LaSonia Smalls, collapsed while running as part of a voluntary workout session, the first workout with the team for Smalls, who was enrolled in the second session of Western Carolina's summer school that began this week.
Smalls complained about cramps during the start of sprint exercises at the school's football stadium and was removed from the workout to be stretched. While being treated, Smalls quit breathing and athletic trainers administered CPR until emergency medical personnel arrived. He was transported to Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, N.C., where he died at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Smalls, a defensive back who earned All-Lowcountry and all-region honors and was a North-South All-Star Game selection in 2006, attended Georgia Military College for two years before transferring to Western Carolina.
"Any loss of life is a tragedy, but it is especially tragic when someone is taken from us at such a young age," said Western Carolina athletic director Chip Smith.
"Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ja'Quayvin, and with his coaches and teammates."
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Comments
the_great_waldo (anonymous) says...
Fine young man-great representative of Wando High School and Mt. Pleasant. Condolences and heart-felt prayers extended to the family and Wando football community.
July 9, 2009 at 1:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Wow bad story. Condolences to the family.
July 9, 2009 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RuleNumberOne (anonymous) says...
My condolences to this family. Could this be the result of overheating? High School coaches and band directors, please take note- heat kills. Overexertion in high heat and humidity can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke with deadly consequences. What are your hydration policies? When is it too hot for man or beast? We need state laws to provide guidelines on humane treatment during practices. If it's good enough for diaper-wearing horses...
July 9, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
Another law is the last thing we need..... condolences to the family. Sad situation....
July 9, 2009 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RuleNumberOne (anonymous) says...
Laws are good when they protect human lives. Sometimes that's what it takes for people to do the right thing. Any alternatives are welcomed.
July 9, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
egotrip (anonymous) says...
A young black man taken too soon. He was trying to do the right thing. He didn't get caught up in the judicial system like so many of his peers. My condolences and prayers to the family. This is why medical emergency equipment is needed during these hot days of practices.
July 9, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
culbreath (anonymous) says...
From a Bulldog fan: RIP Ja'quayvin. You left us too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
July 9, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madd_dog2020 (anonymous) says...
Posted by BulldogTLC on July 9, 2009 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another law is the last thing we need..... condolences to the family. Sad situation....
If this had happens to one of your love ones, you would be sing a different tone!!!
July 9, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madd_dog2020 (anonymous) says...
Posted by RuleNumberOne on July 9, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Laws are good when they protect human lives. Sometimes that's what it takes for people to do the right thing. Any alternatives are welcomed.
Sometimes, I think many have lost their ways in this society. They are more laws protecting pets then humans.
July 9, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MRSCVS (anonymous) says...
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of this young man.
GOD Bless!
July 9, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
Y'all are screaming for a law and have no idea what caused the death.... come on, now!
Government is already involved in too many things they have no business in. Last thing we need (from an ex-football, ex-baseball, ex-basketball player) is a law to tell us when to take a break and when to drink a cup of water. What is needed is people using the common sense that God gave them.
July 9, 2009 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Catamount_Fan (anonymous) says...
Heat was apparently not a factor in this tragic situation. Hi temp in Cullowhee on Wed. was 75. It was about 70 at the time of his death. Humidity was not a factor. He had passed a physical on Monday or Tuesday.
We will probably never understand this one. But our hearts go out to the family and friends of this young man. The folks at Western never really got a chance to know him and become his friends as well.
July 9, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RuleNumberOne (anonymous) says...
You are right that we are speculating about a cause of death; that's why I mentioned that I hope an autopsy will be done. But this was a good opportunity to mention about athletes and band students in practice during hot weather. I wasn't "screaming" for a law- I suggested it. But I do know that athletes and band students have no say in when they practice, take a break, or get water. Overzealous win-at-any-cost coaches and band directors can put our kids' lives at risk because it's hard to monitor every kid. I've seen a number of kids collapse from the heat during practices, and it's a foolish and unnecessary thing. I would think people could use common sense in this heat. Unfortunately, common sense must be pretty rare. The world has turned upside down when we protect pets more than kids.
July 9, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowcountrydawg (anonymous) says...
Death sucks! When it's your time to go, it's your time to go...you can't legislate that!
July 9, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madd_dog2020 (anonymous) says...
Posted by Catamount_Fan on July 9, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Heat was apparently not a factor in this tragic situation. Hi temp in Cullowhee on Wed. was 75. It was about 70 at the time of his death. Humidity was not a factor. He had passed a physical on Monday or Tuesday.
We will probably never understand this one. But our hearts go out to the family and friends of this young man. The folks at Western never really got a chance to know him and become his friends as well.
It does not have too be hot to suffer from dehydration!!! We must not jump to any conclusion, but being a Sport Medicine graduate, the symptoms exhibited could have been due too dehydration.
July 9, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IronWoman (anonymous) says...
I think athletes push themselves beyond what is healthy common sense. I just can't see how doing ANY type of sport, even jogging, in hot weather can be 'healthy'. It makes our hearts work too heard. We have clouds, trees, and streams to naturally keep us cool and protected, but we (humans) choose to see how far we can push our bodies instead of taking care of them. Exercising is great, when done with common sense. I'll be surprised if over exertion isn't involved in this man's untimely death. Peace to his family and friends.
July 9, 2009 at 11:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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