Doctors pleased with Berger's progress; still no word on cause of collapse


6 photos
Save Story

Show 9 more videos

Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Wednesday's scheduled basketball game between Utah State University and BYU has beenpostponed after USU starting shooting guard Danny Berger collapsed and stopped breathing during practice Tuesday.

BYU released a statement Wednesday morning confirming the game's postponement due to concerns over Berger's "serious medical condition." No makeup date for the game has been scheduled.

Berger remains in critical condition at Intermountain Medical Center. His family released a statement Wednesday regarding his condition.

"As of right now, things are looking good," according to John Berger, his brother. "He's waking up and responding the way the doctors want him to."

Berger's family also said if not for one particular trainer, there's a good chance he would have died.


Most of all, thank you to Mike Williams, the Utah State University trainer who was a practice when Danny collapsed. He saved my brother's life, and I thank God for him.

–John Berger, Danny Berger's brother


"Most of all, thank you to Mike Williams, the Utah State University trainer who was a practice when Danny collapsed. He saved my brother's life, and I thank God for him," John Berger said.

Berger's teammates and coaches came to the hospital Wednesday to check on him and show their support for him. Although they're not allowed in his room, Berger's family says just their presence is enough to show Berger how much support he has.

"We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers," John Berger said. "I know that you have made a difference in keeping my brother alive."

At a press conference later in the day, Utah State basketball team doctor Trek Lyons told reporters that Berger is awake and talking to his family. Lyons said Berger doesn't have any known pre-existing condition or heart problems.

The team was running a final practice when Berger stopped breathing. Standing by himself in between drills, the 22-year-old junior college transfer from Medford, Ore. collapsed.

USU emergency personnel rushed in and used a defibrillator to bring him back, jump-starting his heart and restoring his breathing.

Shawn Harrison covers the Aggies basketball team for Logan's Herald Journal. He said, "From what I can tell you, he had to be revived. One person told me he was out and he was gone, had to use a defibrillator, some kind of different device, to revive him. The team was in total shock."

How to use a defibrillator
If there was a defibrillator nearby and you saw someone collapse, would you know how to use it? Sandra Yi learned how to use the life-saving device. Play the "Defibrillator" video to see her report.

He was rushed by ambulance to Logan Regional where some of USU's coaching staff were seen nervously pacing the hallways. A quick evaluation determined Berger needed immediate higher-level care. He was quickly flown south to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, where he spent Tuesday night in critical condition.

His family dropped life as they knew it in Medford, Oregon and made their way to Utah.

"You kind of wonder what's going through their minds," said one of Berger's friends on campus in Logan, where his Aggie teammates and coaches stayed. They never really gave serious thought to boarding the bus they were supposed to take to Provo for the annual BYU/Utah State basketball battle Wednesday night.

The situation was shocking for teammates and coaches who saw it happen.

Tavin Stucki, sports editor at the Utah Statesman, said, "For anybody to just go down and stop breathing like that is pretty incredible, much less an athlete in top shape like Danny."

KSL News also spoke to Berger's high school coach Wednesday night, and he had nothing but praise for hte athlete.

"He was just one of the better players we've ever had, and still is a good player, but as a person he's 10 times better. He's one of the best people I know," said Scott Plankenhort, basketball coach at North Medford High School.

"(I want to) talk to him and let him know he's doing good ... even if it's not Danny Berger the basketball player, but just going back to being the great person he is," Plankenhort said. "That's going to be the exciting news, and that's what we home (for)."

No word yet on what caused the medical situation. Utah State will release more information on that when it becomes available.

Contributing: Devon Dolan and Associated Press

Photos

Related stories

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah State AggiesUtahSports
Tom Kirkland and Alex Cabrero

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast