Eagles Turn into Angels
Softball Team’s Heroic Actions Help Save Unconscious Man
In a remarkable display of compassion and quick thinking, Georgia Southern University’s softball team and staff are winning praise for helping a 98-year-old man who suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. The incident took place in the lobby of a hotel in Troy, Alabama, when Charles Parish Sr. unexpectedly needed urgent assistance. Without hesitation, the Eagles rushed to his aid, performing CPR and calling 911.
“I knelt beside him and saw he was not conscious so I helped lay him down on the floor and administered a sternal rub to wake him,” said Layne Jackson, Georgia Southern assistant athletic trainer. “He did wake up and I continued to check his pulse and kept him awake and alert until EMS arrived, where I then relayed the scenario and they took over his care.”
Erin Hunter, Parish’s granddaughter, expressed her family’s appreciation for the team that helped them during a time of crisis. Coincidentally, they were celebrating their 80th family reunion in the same hotel where the softball players were staying. At the hospital, Hunter said her grandfather was full of life and happily “shaking hands and cracking jokes.” In applauding the Eagles’ act of kindness, the grateful granddaughter said her grandfather called them his “angels” who helped him in a time of need.
“I know the parents of these girls would be proud of them for their compassion, selflessness and knowledge of emergency response,” Hunter stated in an email to University President Kyle Marrero. Marrero called the team’s action a “testament to our student-athletes and staff, and exemplifies what we strive every day to achieve at Georgia Southern University… to have an impact on our communities wherever we may be.”
Sharon Perkins, the head coach of the softball team, conveyed her relief at hearing that Parish is doing well and praised the family for acknowledging the team’s efforts.
“We’re thankful we were able to assist in a small way until first responders arrived,” she said, “and appreciate the kind words from the family that were shared with us.”
Hunter acknowledged that without the softball team’s timely intervention, her grandfather’s medical emergency could have been far more devastating.
— Sandra Bennett
