Athletic Trainer, Team Doctor credited with saving referee who collapsed during John Carroll University game

(Athletic) Trainer, Team Doctor credited with saving referee who collapsed during John Carroll University game

FOX 8 NEWS WJW

by: Jennifer Jordan

Posted: Feb 7, 2022 / 08:13 PM EST / Updated: Feb 7, 2022 / 08:13 PM EST

https://fox8.com/news/trainer-team-doctor-credited-with-saving-referee-who-collapsed-during-john-carroll-university-game/

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) – It was a near tragedy on the court when a veteran referee collapsed during a basketball game.

It happened on John Carroll University‘s back on Jan. 19, when the college women’s basketball team was battling rival Baldwin Wallace.

Just after half-time, veteran referee Tim Radley, 66, collapsed to the floor.

“She said I was staring up at her and I turned blue and my eyes started rolling in the back of my head and I was not breathing,” Radley said.

“We thought he was kidding around and joking and soon we realized he wasn’t,” said Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine and John Carroll’s assistant athletic trainer Michelle Fowler.

Fowler, along with team physician Breanna Kebort, sprung into action, using a courtside defibrillator to bring the Mentor resident back to life.

“Realized he didn’t have a pulse, Dr. Kebort started chest compressions, I got the AED ready and luckily it was the Baldwin Wallace game we had together. If he would have collapsed anywhere else, I don’t know if he would still be here with us,” Fowler said.

Radley was transported to University Hospitals and underwent surgery the following day after doctors discovered major blockages to his heat.

“And they said one artery had 90% blockage and the other had 80%,” Radley said.

Now, some major changes are coming in light of this near tragedy. The Ohio Athletic Conference is intensifying efforts to have all officials supply updated medical information and emergency contacts since they had difficulty contacting Tim’s next of kin.

Radley, who has been a college sports official for four decades, was released from the hospital one day after surgery, with his wife of 45 years, Karen, by his side.

The father and grandfather of six credits his faith and the two women he now calls his guardian angels, to him being alive today.

He also thanks the fans, who gave him a standing ovation as he was carried by EMS off the court.

John Carroll training staff's quick thinking saves ref's life

WEWS NEWS CHANNEL 5

Posted at 11:24 PM, Feb 07, 2022 and last updated 12:35 PM, Feb 08, 2022

https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/john-carroll-training-staffs-quick-thinking-saves-refs-life

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — A lingering tightness in the chest that comes and goes was an afterthought for one local basketball referee until he started fighting for his life as a stunned crowd watched in horror.

It was a typical game night at John Carroll just a few weeks ago, like the hundreds of others Mentor native Tim Radley’s officiated during his 40-year career.

“I remember the first half was very competitive it was wonderful," Radley said.

A top 20 women’s basketball matchup between neighborhood rivals Baldwin Wallace and John Carroll.

“The girls put up over 80 points in the first half and then we went to the locker room," Radley said.

But things quickly changed on January 19 for the father of two and husband of 45 years.

“We came out of the double doors out to the court for the second half and that’s when I collapsed and that's the last I remember," Radley said.

Radley suffered a heart attack on the court.

John Carroll's training staff quickly jumped into action.

“We realized he didn’t have a pulse, she started chest compressions and the AED was in arm's length of me we cut his clothes off and set up the AED," said Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Senior Athletic Trainer Michelle Fowler.

Their quick action and AED brought Radley back to life.

He’s now out of the hospital and grateful for a second chance at life.

“I collapsed. Dr. Bree and Michelle my angels were right there," Radley said "They’re just wonderful people here they really are."

Radley is currently meeting with doctors to determine when he can get back on the court and ref again.