Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 16, 1993 TAG: 9308160108
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Newport News Daily Press
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium
"This is difficult," Hampton coach Joe Taylor said in his office Sunday evening, shortly after returning from a three-hour talk with his players. "We're a close team, which means it hurts even more. We're like a family."
Siggers collapsed during a team meeting in a classroom in the school's science and technology building at approximately 3:05 p.m., Taylor said.
"We thought it was a seizure at first," Taylor said. "That's what it seemed like."
Taylor and a couple of assistant coaches immediately ran to a telephone in the building and called campus security, which in turn called for medical assistance. Paramedics arrived within 10 minutes, Taylor said, and took Siggers to Hampton General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Isabelle Whittington, the nurse administrator at Hampton General, would not release details.
Taylor said Siggers, a 20-year-old junior from Gary, Ind., had passed a routine physical exam Wednesday and had no history of medical problems of which he was aware.
The Pirates did not practice Sunday. The team attended a church service on campus in the morning and then lunch at the Virginia Hall cafeteria. The coaching staff held a meeting at 2 p.m., and then the team meeting at 3 p.m.
Siggers was a walk-on to the team two years ago and did not receive an athletic scholarship. He didn't play in any of the Pirates' games last season and was in uniform only for home games, Taylor said.
"He was one of those guys who just liked to be around the team," Taylor said. "He never complained. He was always on time. Really, he was an inspiration to be around."
by CNB