A University of Iowa student and member of the Hawkeye Marching Band has died after suffering cardiac arrest during the Sept. 5 football game against Northern Illinois.
The Daily Iowan reported that third-year UI student Derek Phillips collapsed from the heat shortly before the Hawkeye Marching Band was scheduled to perform its halftime show. Temperatures in Iowa City reached 94 degrees that day.
Hawkeye Marching Band Director Eric W. Bush confirmed Phillips’ death in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.
According to information shared by Phillips’ family on his Instagram account, Phillips suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and was taken to UI Health Care, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Medical professionals later determined he had suffered severe brain damage as a result of the cardiac arrest.
His family said they made the decision to remove Phillips from life support.
“Derek is comfortable, surrounded by family, and enveloped in the music he loved so much,” the family wrote in the post. “Thank you for every prayer, every shared experience, and every bit of love you’ve given to our boy.”
The family said Phillips spent the summer touring with a drum and bugle corps and was an avid participant in and listener of jazz, choir and marching band music.
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In a statement to The Daily Iowan, UI Public Relations Manager Chris Brewer said university officials were saddened by Phillips’ condition and encouraged students to seek support.
Brewer said University Counseling Services, Student Care and Assistance, the Employee Assistance Program and the 24-hour Crisis and Support Line are available to students.
“The entire Hawkeye Marching Band family is thinking of Derek Phillips and his loved ones,” Brewer said in the statement. He added that the university remains in close contact with Phillips’ family and is providing support to members of the band community.
According to Brewer, counselors from both the Hawkeye Marching Band and School of Music are on-site this week to assist students, and Bush has shared additional support resources with band members.
The University of Iowa has encouraged students who are struggling with the loss to seek assistance and support.
This story is based on reporting by The Daily Iowan and information released by the University of Iowa and Phillips’ family.
