“As the University of Akron readies for the Mid-American Conference tournament in Cleveland, they’ll be doing so with heavy hearts. Sophomore forward Tim Carroll collapsed during the Zip’s morning practice Wednesday and was taken to the emergency room at Akron General Hospital via ambulance, where he stayed over night for observation.”
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As the University of Akron readies for the Mid-American Conference tournament in Cleveland, they’ll be doing so with heavy hearts.
Sophomore forward Tim Carroll collapsed during the Zip’s morning practice Wednesday and was taken to the emergency room at Akron General Hospital via ambulance, where he stayed over night for observation.
Greg Bach, an assosciate sports information director at UA said the cause of Carroll’s collapse has yet to be determined.
Junior forward Nate Linhart said Carroll had heart problems in the past and complained about his heart before Wednesday’s practice.
He said he was going to go to the cardiologist, Linhart said. I looked over and he was on the ground. It was pretty scary moment for us. We were all pretty upset.
Zips head coach Keith Dambrot said he had no knowledge if Carroll ever had heart issues before Wednesday.
Carroll walked off the court during a shooting drill and collapsed. Dambrot said he didn’t think Carroll ever lost consciousness but thought it might have been close.
Dambrot cancelled the rest of practice, and rescheduled it for later in the day.
It’s the worst thing I’ve ever been involved with, Dambrot said. He’s a great kid, too – a hard worker who’s close with the guys. It shook our team up.
With the pressure of the MAC tournament looming, Dambrot said Carroll’s episode helped him put things in perspective.
It hit me like a truck, Dambrot said. I start wondering about what I think is important while I’m driving to the hospital. I’m thinking ‘what am I worried about?’ I’m yelling at my own kids for stupid stuff and the kid’s laying there…
The Zips have endured a number of injuries this season. They lost freshman Ronnie Steward for the entire season after a couple weeks of practice. Senior guard Cedrick Middleton has been hampered by a knee injury all season and Second-Team All-MAC selection Jeremiah Wood missed four games with a torn lateral meniscus.
It was hard, Dambrot said. There’s nothing compared to that. The team’s been through a lot, with injuries and other issues. This doesn’t compare with our normal problems.
Linhart said each player made it to the hospital to see Carroll, who won’t be joining the Zips in Cleveland, and said he was feeling better.
Just to see him and talk to him helped, Linhart said. It was really frightening to see the ambulance come in and carry him off on a stretcher and nobody knew what was wrong. But he’s doing OK and we’re all praying for him.
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