Eye on Health: Elkhart High School Trainer's Swift Action Saves a Life, Earns IHSAA Recognition

Photo by(WSBT photo)

ELKHART, Ind. — As fans flock to the stands for pre-fall football games, the spotlight often shines on the athletes under the Friday night lights. Yet, a recent incident at Elkhart High School’s Rice Field shifted the focus to a different kind of hero—one standing not on the field, but on the sidelines. When a fan lost consciousness during a junior varsity football game, Head Athletic Trainer Erin Foreman stepped in with life-saving expertise, demonstrating the critical role athletic trainers play beyond the game.

It was a hot Saturday morning when the unexpected happened. A fan from the visiting team suddenly collapsed in the stands. Within moments, Erin Foreman was sprinting from the field to the bleachers, her training and instincts kicking in. "As I'm running up the steps, I'm surveying the scene to kind of see what's going on, taking in information that is important to me as a clinician to process, to see how I'm going to respond," Foreman recalled.

The fan had succumbed to the heat, but thanks to Foreman’s swift actions—checking the fan’s pulse, providing water, and cooling them down with cold towels—the situation stabilized quickly. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) soon arrived to provide additional care. The fan's family credits Foreman’s immediate response with making a significant difference that day.

For Foreman, it was all in a day’s work. "I don’t take praise very well, but I certainly am blessed to have someone turn my name into the IHSAA and recognize me for what I do every day," she shared humbly. Her quick thinking and calm under pressure prompted the family to submit her name for recognition by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) for Exemplary Behavior—an honor that highlights the vital work of athletic trainers.

Kara Werner-Sanders, Beacon Health System's Athletic Training Coordinator, emphasized the importance of Foreman’s actions. “Erin being there to help that spectator is massive. If she wasn’t implementing that training and that emergency care, things could have looked a little bit different. So, her being able to be there on the sidelines, it's crucial for student athlete healthcare and essentially anybody that's around,” Werner-Sanders said.

Athletic trainers like Foreman often work behind the scenes, quietly ensuring the safety of athletes, coaches, and spectators. Their roles extend far beyond tending to sprained ankles or concussions; they are first responders who must be prepared for any emergency. “Athletic trainers are healthcare providers. We're on the sideline and it's important to know who we are and what we do and what our scope of practice is," Foreman noted.

The recognition by the IHSAA is a rare but meaningful acknowledgment of the dedication and expertise athletic trainers bring to their roles. "It's awesome for an athletic trainer to be recognized for being a healthcare professional and being able to assist. It doesn't come very often. Athletic trainers don't usually like being recognized; we're kind of in the shadows and in the background," Werner-Sanders explained.

Foreman’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of having trained medical professionals on-site at sports events and the critical role they play in ensuring everyone’s safety. As the fan and their family can attest, having someone like Foreman nearby can be the difference between life and death.

Her story is a powerful reminder to all of us to remain vigilant about our health, especially in extreme weather conditions. And for Foreman, it’s simply another day on the job—a job that she does with expertise, humility, and care.