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08-09-2006, 10:56 PM
Vince Bernardo, a former standout lineman at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, died yesterday morning after falling ill while participating in a practice drill for Shippensburg University's football team.
According to university officials, Bernardo was running 110-yard sprints when he began to struggle with his breathing.
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound freshman offensive lineman was alert and responsive when first looked at by a team trainer, officials said. But his condition worsened, and he was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation by emergency personnel before being taken by ambulance to Chambersburg Hospital.
Bernardo, 17, was pronounced dead at 9:30 a.m., a little over an hour after first experiencing the breathing problems, officials said.
Bernardo's parents, Steve and Nancy, met with school administrators and coaches at Shippensburg yesterday. After retrieving their son's belongings, they returned to their Flourtown home in the evening.
"Not only was he my son, but he and I were the best of friends," Steve Bernardo said, fighting back tears. "We consulted each other on everything."
Steve Bernardo said his son had no history of physical or breathing problems.
"None whatsoever," he said. "He was in great shape, the best shape he'd ever been in his life."
John Staudenmayer, named Plymouth Whitemarsh's new football coach in December, said Bernardo was "the epitome of a player in perfect physical condition."
Steve Bernardo said an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of death. He said he planned to have his son's body cremated.
Vince Bernardo was a two-way tackle for the Colonials. Last season, the captain received first-team all-American Conference honors in the Suburban One League on both sides of the ball and helped the Colonials win a berth in the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs.
Since he was the team's offensive-line coach and defensive coordinator, Staudenmayer worked closely with Bernardo. He learned of Bernardo's death while handing out equipment to players yesterday morning.
"I was stunned," Staudenmayer said. "Everything is kind of surreal right now. It's really hard to comprehend that a 17-year-old boy who was in great condition is dead."
Steve Bernardo is the publisher of the F&B Report. He runs a football combine each spring for high school players at Valley Forge Military Academy, and many colleges use his player-evaluation service.
"There was no reason for this," he said. "I don't know what else to say."
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer
According to university officials, Bernardo was running 110-yard sprints when he began to struggle with his breathing.
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound freshman offensive lineman was alert and responsive when first looked at by a team trainer, officials said. But his condition worsened, and he was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation by emergency personnel before being taken by ambulance to Chambersburg Hospital.
Bernardo, 17, was pronounced dead at 9:30 a.m., a little over an hour after first experiencing the breathing problems, officials said.
Bernardo's parents, Steve and Nancy, met with school administrators and coaches at Shippensburg yesterday. After retrieving their son's belongings, they returned to their Flourtown home in the evening.
"Not only was he my son, but he and I were the best of friends," Steve Bernardo said, fighting back tears. "We consulted each other on everything."
Steve Bernardo said his son had no history of physical or breathing problems.
"None whatsoever," he said. "He was in great shape, the best shape he'd ever been in his life."
John Staudenmayer, named Plymouth Whitemarsh's new football coach in December, said Bernardo was "the epitome of a player in perfect physical condition."
Steve Bernardo said an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of death. He said he planned to have his son's body cremated.
Vince Bernardo was a two-way tackle for the Colonials. Last season, the captain received first-team all-American Conference honors in the Suburban One League on both sides of the ball and helped the Colonials win a berth in the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs.
Since he was the team's offensive-line coach and defensive coordinator, Staudenmayer worked closely with Bernardo. He learned of Bernardo's death while handing out equipment to players yesterday morning.
"I was stunned," Staudenmayer said. "Everything is kind of surreal right now. It's really hard to comprehend that a 17-year-old boy who was in great condition is dead."
Steve Bernardo is the publisher of the F&B Report. He runs a football combine each spring for high school players at Valley Forge Military Academy, and many colleges use his player-evaluation service.
"There was no reason for this," he said. "I don't know what else to say."
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer