High school under investigation after 19 football players were allegedly hospitalized after practice in extreme heat

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News) - A high school in Indiana is under investigation after 19 football players were allegedly hospitalized after practice in extreme heat.

CohenMalad, an Indianapolis law firm, is investigating complaints against Snider High School, alleging that the football players were required to participate in practices and scrimmages

They say the students were allegedly forced to “perform strenuous training in full gear, without adequate breaks, shade or water.”

Parents of some of the involved students say their children experienced heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other medical conditions as a result of the training, according to the firm.

After the Aug. 9 scrimmage, 19 students were hospitalized, CohenMalad says. One student was taken to a hospital for advanced care and several others remained hospitalized for nearly a week after.

The law firm has a team dedicated to investigating the allegations against the high school and asks those with children on the Snider High School football team who were injured or hospitalized after the practice or scrimmage to contact them.

“Parents of these student athletes, or others with information related to this incident, are encouraged to contact us,” the firm said in a release. “All discussions are free, confidential and no obligation.”

Scott Murray, a spokesperson for Fort Wayne Community Schools, said the district cannot comment on the law firm’s inquiry; however, he shared the following statement on the allegations:

“As previously stated, Fort Wayne Community Schools has clear heat advisory guidelines, and our investigation confirmed those guidelines were followed, including taking frequent breaks, having water readily available and avoiding the use of full gear.”