Referee collapsed during a high school basketball game in Watertown

By Hollie Raposo

In Watertown, Mass., a high school basketball game was underway when the crowd got a shock from the referee collapsing on the floor. On Friday, a 56-year-old man, Don McGillicuddy, fell to the floor in the final seconds of the Watertown vs. Old Rochester regional girls’ basketball game after having a major heart attack.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

The community, athletic trainers and police banded together to try and help McGillicuddy. They were able to use AED to revive him. He was taken to a nearby hospital to seek medical treatment. While he was on the way to Mount Auburn Hospital, he suffered another heart attack and did not survive.

Deepest condolences were given to the family of McGillicuddy by MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association). The school’s administrators, minutes after the incident talked to the students and families. Counselors were provided for the students too and would start meeting with them on Monday.

Don McGillicuddy was loved by many in the community and did a fantastic job as a basketball official. The International Association of Approved Basketball Officials of Greater Lowell announced McGillicuddy passing on their Facebook page. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of longtime board member Donny McGillicuddy last night,” Jeff Blanchard, president of the board said. Blanchard goes on about McGilliicuddy’s “shining personality will live in our hearts.”

Considering McGillicuddy’s death, the Watertown boys basketball game against Shawsheen Tech to be rescheduled to Saturday.