NC A&T’s trainer urged against sickle cell test

GREENSBORO, NC (AP) — Officials at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro say the school’s top athletic trainer counseled coaches to save money by not testing for sickle cell trait days before a student died from the disease.

The News & Record of Greensboro reported Friday the school’s chief athletics trainer e-mailed coaches Aug. 17 asking them to test only students who made their teams, not those trying out.

An NCAA rule implemented Aug. 1 requires students trying out or participating in Division I sports to be tested for the blood disease, show proof of a test, or sign a waiver.

An autopsy determined that 20-year-old student Jospin Milandu of Knightday died of complications of sickle cell trait. He collapsed during an Aug. 19 track team tryout.
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Information from: News & Record, http://www.news-record.com

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