Derek Phillips, a marching band member at the University of Iowa, was taken off life support after he collapsed Saturday during the Hawkeyes’ season-opening football game against Northern Illinois, his family said in a message posted to his Instagram account.
“Derek collapsed in the heat on Saturday and suffered a sudden cardiac arrest,” the family said. “Despite the extraordinary efforts of the ICU team at the University of Iowa Hospital, the damage to his brain was too severe and we have made the heartbreaking decision to remove life support.”
The University of Iowa announced before the game that the Hawkeye Marching Band, as well as the Iowa Spirit Squads, would forego halftime performances due to the heat.
Heat indexes reached over 100 degrees in Iowa City on Saturday.
It was 90 degrees at the time of kickoff, according to ESPN, which said that Iowa adjusted the start times for several athletic events during the weekend because of forecasted high temperatures in the area.
“The entire Hawkeye Marching Band family is thinking of Derek Phillips and his loved ones,” UI Public Relations Manager Chris Brewer said in a statement. “We are grateful to his parents for providing regular updates to the students who love Derek. This is heartbreaking for everyone who cares for him.
“The university is in close contact and is offering support. Both the HMB and School of Music have counselors on-site for students this week. HMB director Eric Bush has shared resources with the band community and is encouraging anyone who needs support to seek assistance.”
Phillips, a third-year student from Dubuque, Iowa, played horn in the band and he studied business analytics and information systems.
His family said he “had the absolute summer of his life touring in drum and bugle corps” in the message.
“Derek brought so much light, humor and kindness into the world. He was a phenomenal musician — whether he was playing jazz, singing his heart out or marching under the lights, music was the language of his soul,” their statement continued.
His family asked those who knew Phillips to share their favorite memories and photos of him, adding the hashtag, “Do It For Derek.”
