Preston Hirten: “Epitomized Staples soccer.” Staplessoccer.com photoUPDATE Preston J. Hirten, a member of Westport’s Staples High School Class of 2007 where he was a star soccer player, collapsed and died today during a practice at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va. He was 20.
CPR was administered immediately, but efforts to revive him failed, said Staplessoccer.com.
In a message posted on the Staples soccer Web site, the Hirten family said: “The Hirten family thanks the many Westporters, Stapleites, and soccer players and fans from around the FCIAC for their kind thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.”
The family said a memorial service will be held Saturday at the Unitarian Church, 10 Lyons Plains Road, at 2 p.m.
“The Hirten family encourages attendees to dress casually — ‘soccer shirts for players is great,’ they say,” said Dan Woog, Staples soccer coach. “The building is not air-conditioned, so feel free to bring fans and water too.”
The family said in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Preston Hirten Memorial Scholarship, being organized by the Westport Soccer Association. The address is: PO Box 2561, Westport, CT 06880.
“Preston epitomized Staples soccer,” said Woog. “Anyone who watched him play — who saw his combination of speed, skill, and above all determination — knew he loved the game, and loved being on the field with his friends.
“That team has been through so much,” Woog said, referring to the deaths of several fathers during and immediately following the season.
Hirten in action at Staples. WN file photo“Tragedy united them, and made them stronger. They set a standard of soccer, competitiveness, camaraderie and humanity that is their legacy.
“This is the cruelest blow of all — and the most difficult test for them. I know the Staples soccer community will rally around them — and around Preston’s parents and his sisters — now, and in the days, weeks and months to come.”
The hard-working, ultra-competitive midfielder was one of the sparkplugs of the 2006 FCIAC championship, state finalist team, Woog said.
“Our hearts go out to Preston’s family, friends, and the Staples soccer community,” Westport First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff said tonight. “On behalf of all Westporters, I offer my deepest condolences.”
Fredericksburg.com reported that UMW President Judy Hample wrote a letter to school employees tonight reporting Preston’s death.
UMW’s president informed the school of Preston’s death.UMW.edu photo
“Preston James Hirten of Westport, Conn. had transferred to UMW last year from Hobart College in New York, Hample wrote,” according to the Web site. “Hample’s note did not mention a cause of death.”
UMW Vice President for Student Affairs Douglas Searcy is “focused on providing support for the university community, including Preston’s friends and teammates,” Hample wrote, the Web site said.
“On behalf of the UMW family, our thoughts and prayers are with Preston’s family at this difficult time,” she wrote.
Fredericksburg.com quoted Searcy as saying the soccer team had been practicing for about 30 minutes when Hirten collapsed. The team had drilled for the first 15 minutes before taking a water break, he said.
After then scrimmaging for about 15 minutes, Hirten collapsed as he went to get water, Searcy said.
Tuesday’s temperature reached a high of 95 degrees, but it’s unclear whether Hirten’s death was heat-related, the Web site said.
The state medical examiner’s office routinely investigates sudden deaths.
“Everybody did everything right yesterday,” Searcy said. “We followed our protocol. We did everything in our power to respond to that situation.”
Fredericksburg police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said someone on the soccer field called 911 at 4:14 p.m. The caller said Hirten had suffered a seizure, was breathing, but was unresponsive.
An ambulance with two paramedics arrived at 4:19 p.m. and upgraded the call to respiratory arrest a minute later, Bledsoe said. Emergency personnel administered CPR and were en route to Mary Washington Hospital at 4:36 p.m., she said.
Hirten’s teammates arrived at the hospital a short time later and were told he had passed away, Searcy said. UMW is offering counseling to his teammates and friends.
Survivors include his parents, Marc and Lisa Hirten, and sisters Ella and Justine.
