University band member taken off life support after collapsing in heat during game, family says

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG/Gray News) - The family of a University of Iowa marching band member said their son has been taken off life support after he collapsed in the heat during Saturday’s Hawkeye football game.

Derek Phillips collapsed in the heat and suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, according to his family’s social media post.

“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 post continued.

The game-time temperature on Saturday, 90 degrees, was the fourth-hottest game in Iowa history, with heat indexes making it feel well above 100 degrees.

The University of Iowa cancelled halftime performances, stating “the health and safety of our students, staff, and fans are our top priority.”

The marching band and spirit teams performed their normal pregame ceremonies, but in shorts and T-shirts.

The band announced days before the game that it would perform in its alternate uniforms instead of the traditional wool uniforms due to the heat.

Before Saturday’s game, the university also issued alerts allowing fans to bring in water bottles and wear light colors to beat the heat and altered times for other athletic events.

The university is calling the situation heartbreaking.

“The entire Hawkeye Marching Band family is thinking of Derek Phillips and his loved ones. We are grateful to his parents for providing regular updates to the students who love Derek,” school representatives said in a statement. “This is heartbreaking for everyone who cares for him.”

Phillips’ family said he brought “so much light, humor and kindness into this world.” He toured in drum and bugle corps this summer and was a “phenomenal musician.”