Woodbridge High School coach stable after game collapse

What should have been a cause for celebration for the Woodbridge Vikings resulted in great concern Tuesday afternoon when coach George Washington, collapsed during an opening round game of the Apple Credit Union Winter Classic at Brooke Point High School.

Moments after Washington collapsed an unidentified parent and assistant coach Tamika Dudley performed CPR. After nearly 10 minutes of chest compressions, an automatic external defibrillator -- known as an AED -- was located and the device was used several times before emergency responders arrived and provided aid.

The collapse game with 5:08 left in the fourth quarter and Woodbridge leading 43-34.

The game was eventually forfeited to Woodbridge by the Vikings’ opponent, Colonial Forge, which gave Washington his 200^th career victory the school.

About 15 minutes after his collapse, the gymnasium was cleared and spectators awaited word of Washington’s condition. Shortly thereafter, Brooke Point girls’ basketball coach Rick Butler, the tournament director, announced to the crowd that Washington had regained a pulse and was being taken immediately to Stafford Hospital.

Washington was later moved to the cardiac wing of the Intensive Care Unit at Mary Washington Hospital, according to Woodbridge athletic director Karl Kerns.

A hospital spokeswoman said Washington was in stable condition Tuesday evening.

Kerns said Woodbridge would play its scheduled winner’s bracket game against Stafford at 2 p.m. today, “unless circumstances warrant” otherwise.

Dudley said she was grateful Brooke Point had an AED available.

“I would like to think it was right place, right time,” Dudley said. “I was glad an AED was used so we could keep going until emergency personnel arrived. It seemed like forever [until they arrived], but it was good [to get a pulse].”

Dudley said it was difficult to find words to say to the shaken team, but she did her best.

“I told them he would be okay,” Dudley said Tuesday. “As for [tomorrow], I would like to think they [the Woodbridge players] will band together and be prepared. We certainly should be there at 2 p.m. tomorrow.”

Including the forfeit victory, Washington now has a career record of 200-110. His teams have twice advanced to the state semifinals (1998-99 and 2001-02) and once made the state quarterfinals (02-03).

Colonial Forge coach Michelle Darley was asked about her decision to forfeit the game to Woodbridge despite the fact her team pulled within two at 32-30 with :38 left in the third quarter.

“There were absolutely no second thoughts,” Darley said. “Where’s our perspective? I mean this is a man’s life we are talking about. My players were extremely shaken. This was probably their first exposure to something involving life or death.  I have already spoken to my players and will do the same for any Woodbridge player if they want. That was a lot for young people to observe.”

Darley said she also wished Woodbridge well the rest of the tournament.

“First and foremost, I hope he will recoop,” Darley said. “I know George and he’s a nice guy. But I would hope the [Woodbridge] players would be able to be strong and play well. I hope they will go for it and rally for their coach.”