SharonBates
09-27-2005, 02:57 AM
UA basketball player Shawntinice Polk dies
Star player collapses at McKale
Tucson Citizen
Sept. 26, 2005
TUCSON * -- University of Arizona women's basketball player Shawntinice Polk
died earlier today after collapsing at McKale Center, the school said.
She was 22.
The 6-foot-5 senior center from Hanford, Calif., had not been working out or practicing at the time of the collapse this morning, the school said.
She was taken to University Medical Center. A cause of death was not released. A press conference was scheduled for noon today at McKale.
"This is a tragic day for Shawntinice's family and the University of Arizona," UA athletic director Jim Livengood said in a released statement.
We simply feel for everyone who knew this wonderful young woman.''
UA coach Joan Bonvicini was out of town but was expected to return this afternoon to meet with members of the team.
Livengood said counselors and other specialists were available to talk to student-athletes.
Polk was a three-time honorable mention All-American and All-Pac-10 selection.
She was Arizona's career leader with 46 double-doubles and had 79 double-digit scoring performances in her three seasons. Polk ranked first on the UA career list in rebounding average (9.7 a game).
Polk was the Pacific-10 Conference's active leading career scorer and rebounder with 1,467 points and 914 rebounds.
She was named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason All-American Team and was one of 25 preseason candidates for the Wade Trophy, given to the nation's top women's basketball player.
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Another young player dies in Tucson today! I have been trying to get through to this program for over a year with still no screenings for these young athletes at UofA. Now a 22 year old women's basketball star, Shawntinice Polk, collapses and dies. How many more have to die before improvements in any program are made, 10, 20, 50 young lives?
According to the news report on tonight's news, preliminary autopsy reported her death was related to an blood clot in the lungs that caused a sudden cardiac arrest. I sure would like to see the full autopsy report before any cause of death conclusions are written.
Respectfully,
Sharon Bates
Star player collapses at McKale
Tucson Citizen
Sept. 26, 2005
TUCSON * -- University of Arizona women's basketball player Shawntinice Polk
died earlier today after collapsing at McKale Center, the school said.
She was 22.
The 6-foot-5 senior center from Hanford, Calif., had not been working out or practicing at the time of the collapse this morning, the school said.
She was taken to University Medical Center. A cause of death was not released. A press conference was scheduled for noon today at McKale.
"This is a tragic day for Shawntinice's family and the University of Arizona," UA athletic director Jim Livengood said in a released statement.
We simply feel for everyone who knew this wonderful young woman.''
UA coach Joan Bonvicini was out of town but was expected to return this afternoon to meet with members of the team.
Livengood said counselors and other specialists were available to talk to student-athletes.
Polk was a three-time honorable mention All-American and All-Pac-10 selection.
She was Arizona's career leader with 46 double-doubles and had 79 double-digit scoring performances in her three seasons. Polk ranked first on the UA career list in rebounding average (9.7 a game).
Polk was the Pacific-10 Conference's active leading career scorer and rebounder with 1,467 points and 914 rebounds.
She was named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason All-American Team and was one of 25 preseason candidates for the Wade Trophy, given to the nation's top women's basketball player.
************************************************** *
Another young player dies in Tucson today! I have been trying to get through to this program for over a year with still no screenings for these young athletes at UofA. Now a 22 year old women's basketball star, Shawntinice Polk, collapses and dies. How many more have to die before improvements in any program are made, 10, 20, 50 young lives?
According to the news report on tonight's news, preliminary autopsy reported her death was related to an blood clot in the lungs that caused a sudden cardiac arrest. I sure would like to see the full autopsy report before any cause of death conclusions are written.
Respectfully,
Sharon Bates