Joy Turns to Sorrow at MSU

Joy Turns to Sorrow at MSU The Campus of Michigan State University was supposed to be lively, raucous and on fire this weekend as sixty-two high school

Joy Turns to Sorrow at MSU

The Campus of Michigan State University was supposed to be lively, raucous and on fire this weekend as sixty-two high school basketball teams, representing four different states, participated in the Tom Izzo Spartan Shoot Out.

It turned tragic however for a 14-year old young man. His father (Lou Dawkins) is the basketball coach for Saginaw High School. Lou’s son, Dorian, according to a statement by MSU, “At approximately 8:15 p.m. Friday, Dorian Dawkins, a 14-year-old player from Saginaw High School, collapsed during the closing minutes of a game at IM East. The player received immediate and appropriate medical attention from a certified trainer, provided by Michigan State University and assigned to the facility, and a nurse, who was attending the game. After receiving on-site treatment, the player was transported via ambulance to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.” Dorian passed away a short time later at Sparrow.

Prior to the beginning of the event, according to MSU, “A certified trainer addressed all of the coaches and players to outline medical services provided during the two-day event.” MSU has also offered their support by making sure that their grief-counseling specialists are on hand to help all participating teams at the Shootout.

Tom Izzo, the head basketball coach, Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon, the President of MSU, and AD Mark Hollis had this to say about the tragedy:

MSU President Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon: “The MSU community is united with the Dawkins family, the people of Saginaw, and the young people at the Team Shootout held on our campus as we all grieve this tragic loss. We have made available to those participating in the Shootout the counseling resources at MSU. Our thoughts and support are with all touched by this sad loss.”

MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis: “The loss of a young life is an unimaginable tragedy. The entire MSU Athletics family offers its condolences and any needed support to the Dawkins family and the Saginaw team as they deal with the pain of losing Dorian. We greatly appreciate the immediate responses by the assigned MSU certified trainer at the scene and a nurse in attendance, and the expeditious transfer of Dorian to Sparrow. Our deep sadness is compounded by Dorian’s death despite their response.”

MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo: “As a coach and even more so as a parent, I grieve, pray, and suffer with the Dawkins family, and the many people in Saginaw and beyond who mourn the passing of a wonderful young man, Dorian Dawkins. This tragedy calls us to come together to support Lou, Tish, and their family, and to celebrate the life of a beloved son, brother, and teammate. Athletic competition can sometimes divide people, and we in the arena of top-level athletics face constant challenges to focusing on the right priorities in life. The hours I spent last night with the Dawkins family have reminded me in a dramatic way that, like in coaching, the ‘basics’ are ultimately what it’s all about.”

We at Spartan Nation encourage all of our viewers and readers to keep the Dawkins family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of tragedy.