The Lake Stevens High School assistant football coach who collapsed before a season-opening game Friday night is still in stable condition.
Kyle Bigham, 31, collapsed minutes before the scheduled start of the Lake Stevens versus Mariner game at Goddard Stadium in South Everett. As of noon Saturday Bigham was unconscious but stable at the Colby Campus of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, Lake Stevens athletic director Ed Bailey said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are still with him and hopefully he’ll come out of the other end of this and be back at practice again soon,” Bailey said.
Originally thought to be a heart problem, the cause of Bigham’s collapse isn’t known, Bailey said. A cardiologist found no heart blockage and doctors were running a variety of tests to learn more.
Medical personnel performed CPR on Bigham on the sideline at Goddard on Friday. They stabilized him and he was transported to Providence, Bailey said.
Bigham, a Bothell High graduate who attended Washington State University, is a large man, standing 6 feet, 3 inches and weighting about 285 pounds, Bailey said.
“Bigs is his nickname, and you can understand why,” said Bailey, who added that he wasn’t aware of Bigham having previous medical issues.
Bigham, who has been working toward earning a teaching degree, mainly coaches Lake Stevens linemen. He also is the sophomore team’s defensive coordinator.
“He’s a great asset for young kids,” Bailey said. “Our team loves him and the kids are all very concerned and were inspired last night to play hard, to do everything they could to make it a successful night for him.”
After falling behind Mariner 21-0 early in the second quarter, Lake Stevens scored 33 consecutive points, including 27 in the pivotal final 11 minutes of the first half. The rally was ignited by Bo Dickinson’s 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Lake Stevens was inspired by Bigham, Bailey said. The Vikings used intense emotion sparked by their coach’s collapse and found a way to win.
“I think Kyle would have been really proud to watch that game last night,” Bailey said.
Bigham still might get to see it; Bailey said he hopes to have the assistant coach watch Friday’s game video soon after what Bailey and everyone close to the Lake Stevens program hope is a swift recovery.
Bailey praised medical personnel and Mariner staff for responding so quickly and effectively.
“He couldn’t have found a better place to have his (health) issue, with all the trainers there,” Bailey said.
He added: “Everybody (at Mariner) was supportive. They were right on top of the situation.”
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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