Basketball player dies after collapse during practice

A Slippery Rock University basketball player died early Saturday morning after collapsing during practice due to an apparent heart attack.

Jack Hill Jr., 21, a senior information technology major from Roselle, NJ, collapsed suddenly during a basketball conditioning exercise Friday night in Morrow Field House.

He received immediate CPR attention from SRU coaching staff until Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Rescue Team personnel arrived on the scene.

Hill was then transported to Grove City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:06 a.m. Saturday, according to Rita Abent, executive director of university public relations.

According to Kevin Reynolds, head coach of SRU's men's basketball team, Hill was a member of the team and basketball family both last year and this season.

"Jack's importance or value to our team could not be measured by typical basketball statistics," he said. "His dedication, unselfishness, enthusiasm and energy displayed on a daily basis played a significant role in our NCAA Tournament berth in 2010-2011."

"On behalf of the Slippery Rock basketball coaches, student athletes, support staff and the rest of the SRU family, we send our condolences out to the Hill family," Reynolds said. "He was not only a teammate, but a valued friend to all of us," he said. "He certainly will be missed, but not forgotten."

In addition to the basketball team, Hill was a dedicated member of SRU's Building Bridges organization.

Katie Ridjaneck, a junior Spanish and business administration major, got to know Hill through the organization.

"He was instantly accepting and friendly to everyone," she said. "He was always making jokes, smiling and making everyone laugh. I was friends with him, but so was everyone who talked to him," she said. "That was just the type of person that he was."

All that knew Hill had nothing but kind words to say about him.

Ka Lam, a senior information technology major, considered Jack a great friend.

 "Jack greeted me by saying "Ni hao" everyday, whether it was in person or on Facebook. He was a brother's keeper towards me because he always looked out for me in life and in school," she said. "He may be gone, but he is not forgotten."

Julie Baker, a junior public health major, lived on Hill's floor last year in building F.

"He was always in a good mood and would just brighten my day," she said. "He would always come into our room just to hang out and show us hilarious YouTube videos. I just can't believe he is gone, and I wish I would have known him longer," Baker said.

Rachel Bauer, a junior exercise science major, also lived on Hill's floor last year.

"He was just a really nice and funny guy, and also a really good artist," she said. "I guess it's true when they say only the good die young, because he was just an awesome person all around."

Shannon Solovey, a senior criminal justice major, said Hill was her piece of home at Slippery Rock.

"I'm from New Jersey too, and I am so thankful to say he was my very best friend," Solovey said.

Megan Spore has known Hill since their freshman year.

"He's been a friend to me throughout my whole experience here," she said. "He was extremely kind and was always there to give me a hug when I needed one. I just really can't believe this happened," she said.

Megan Smith, a junior communication-emerging tech major, described Hill as being the most genuine person she knew.

"He'll always be with us, and we're a lucky university to have been able to meet him," she said.

A basketball tournament will be held in Jack's honor on Saturday, October 1st at Aebersold Recreation Center.

 The event will cost $10 a team, and a $2 donation for spectators is recommended. All profits will benefit the Hill family.

The following is an obituary submitted by Hill's family.

Jack Hill Jr., 21, of Roselle, N.J., passed away Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at Grove City Medical Center, Grove City, Pa., after collapsing during a basketball conditioning exercise at Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa.

He was born Feb. 6, 1990, in Elizabeth, N.J. to Jack Hill Sr. and Cheryl Owens Hill and they survive him.

Hill was a senior at Slippery Rock University majoring in computer information technology.

 He was active in the Building Bridges program and had served as a manager of the men's basketball team at SRU.

He was a member of the Rahway Second Baptist Church. He graduated from David Brearley Regional High School in Kenilworth, N.J., where he was a member of the National Honor Society and played on the basketball team.