Track Coach Hit in Head During Shot Put

Ed Degeeter was struck during pre-game warm-ups for a track meet in Elgin Friday evening

An Illinois track coach was in critical condition after being struck in the head during pre-game warm-ups for a track meet in Elgin Friday evening.

Marmion Military Academy coach Ed Degeeter, 42, was struck in the head by a 12-pound shot at Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, according to Elgin Police Cmdr. Glenn Theriault. The coach was taken to Presence Saint Joseph Hospital in critical condition, Theriault said.

“There are no criminal charges,” Theriault said. “This was just a horrible, horrible accident.”

Marmion Military Academy is located in west suburban Aurora, or 1000 Butterfield Road.

More than a dozen teams were present for the competition at Elgin High School.

"There must have been about four or five coaches who showed up. The athletic director was in the ambulance with him, and they were so good and helped him through it," said Degeeter's father, Al Degeeter.

The coach was out of the Intensive Care Unit by Monday morning, and his family said Degeeter was walking, talking, and showing continued signs of improvement.

 

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