An Atlanta youth baseball team is mourning the death of its assistant coach, who tragically collapsed and died on the field last Friday.
Assistant coach Doug Davis collapsed and experienced a “massive heart attack” during the team’s game at Lake Point Sports in Emerson before passing away, according to ABC affiliate WSB-TV. Davis was only 47 years old.
“The whole stadium went silent,” DC Academy team head coach Sam Ray told Fox affiliate WAGA-TV. The head coach mentioned that both his son and Davis’ son were present to witness the “terrifying” scene. “It was something you would never want to be a part of,” he added.
Opposing team coach Jeff Owens described the incident as a “scary moment” that he found difficult to articulate.
“As soon as it happened, the rest of the coaches and I ran towards Doug,” he said in a statement. “The nurses and doctors came out of the stands onto the field.” He described the moment as “probably one of the most devastating things I’ve ever experienced.”
Owens recalled to WAGA that his players quickly surrounded the DC Academy team and joined them in prayer following Davis’ collapse.
“It was a beautiful thing to see during something that was very difficult to be a part of,” Owens said. He mentioned that the baseball community in North Georgia is like a big family where everyone knows each other.
Atlanta youth baseball coach Doug Davis was described as having a heart “full of gold”
Sam Ray had been the team’s co-coach with Davis for three years, WAGA reported, and developed a strong brotherly bond with the assistant coach.
“I was lucky to be by his side when it happened. That is a memory I will never forget,” Ray recalled.
Ray told the local news station that Davis had been an exceptional coach for the youth baseball team. “His heart was full of gold. He loved boys. He loved being with children, in particular, he loved being with his own son,” Ray said.
According to his obituary, Davis is survived by his wife, Pamela, and their children: Dalton, Emma Grace and Brooks.
The family hosted a memorial service for the beloved coach at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, they requested that donations be directed to the church.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn