church boxing match ends in death

[RecycleMichael]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=231&articleid=20110922_231_0_Frenvr671780


Former University of Tulsa football player George Clinkscale died after taking part in a boxing event at GUTS Church on Wednesday night. He was 24.

Clinkscale, a linebacker at TU from 2005-09, was on the main event card at GUTS Church's Fight Night VI when witnesses said he started cramping during his match. TU officials said he was taken to a hospital, but couldn't be revived. The event was not sanctioned, according to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, which started an investigation Thursday and indicated evidence would be provided to the state attorney general's office. Tulsa Police Sgt. Justin Farley said officers were not called to the scene Wednesday, but an off duty officer was there working as security.

Farley said the officer requested for EMSA to respond to the address at 9:40 p.m. for a conscious male "in his 20s with a possible concussion." EMSA Public Information Officer Chris Stevens said paramedics responded shortly before 9:45 and treated and transported a male in his 20s from that area with a traumatic injury. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital in serious condition.  Clinkscale was an assistant football coach at Central High School in Tulsa. News of Clinkscale's death shocked his former coaches and teammates. Former Tulsa coach Todd Graham recruited Clinkscale, who was from Cedar Hill, Texas.

Clinkscale was a four-year lettermen at TU and three-year starter, Clinkscale earned a degree in exercise sports science.

"We are incredibly heartbroken to hear about the passing of George Clinkscale, one of the most passionate young men I've ever met," Graham, the coach at the University of Pittsburgh, said in a statement. "... He will always hold a very special place in my heart. He was strongly committed to his family, his faith and his Tulsa teammates." Joe Miller, executive director of the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, said he spoke with USA Boxing (the sanctioning body of all amateur boxing events in Oklahoma) and said that group had no knowledge of the fight card. Miller spent Thursday morning investigating the event.

"Once I gather all of the information, I'll be turning it over to the state attorney general's office, who will in turn turn it over to probably the Tulsa County District Attorney's office. ... It is a violation of Title 3A of the Oklahoma codes." That code regulates amateur boxing events in Oklahoma. USA Boxing is the only organization the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission allows to sanction amateur events and has guidelines that govern them.

Sanctioned events require a pre-bout physical, a doctor ringside and an ambulance on site.

"The rules are in place to protect the athlete," Miller said. "That's why they are as stringent as they are and the medical requirements are what they are." Miller said responsibility would be on the promoter of the event "whether it be the church, the pastor of the church, whoever promoted it, advertised it, put the show on or collected the money." A message left with a GUTS Church receptionist wasn't returned.

"I did find a website where this is not the first time this has happened," Miller said. "They billed this as GUTS Church VI, so obviously there have been others that have flown under the radar." Dave Martin was Clinkscale's position coach at Cedar Hill (Texas) High School. "I had spoken with him earlier in the week," said Martin, head coach at Jones High School. "You hate to see something happen like that to a young man. The Cedar Hill family and the Tulsa family lost a great individual and I hate to hear about the loss."

Martin said Clinkscale "was a heck of a competitor. He was a kid that was playing like he was on fire, but he was smiling."

TU football coach Bill Blankenship released this statement, "Our football program has been shaken by the news of George Clinkscale's passing. The thoughts and prayers of the entire TU football family go out to his family and friends during this terrible time. George was much too young to be taken from us. He was an extremely passionate and bright young man who will be greatly missed and long remembered by his teammates and coaches. The thing I was most excited about in George's life right now was how tremendously excited he was to be a father. He was passionate about working as a football coach and how much he could make a difference with those young men. It's a tragic loss for all of us."

Several current and former teammates on Twitter started relaying their condolences:
"Lost one in the Tulsa family today. Crazy thing is I saw him last night. Please pray for his family. RIP GEORGE CLINKSCALE." - @Thomas_Roberson

"Prayers go out to the family of George Clinkscale! George was a great football player, teammate, but an even better man." - @nicholasDgraham

"Lost a co-worker and a TU brother last night. Less than 24 hours ago we were laughing and having fun workin. Rest In Peace George Clinkscale." - JamesFloyd71

"This is tragic," Miller said. "It really turns my stomach."


I am confused on why and how a church would have a boxing match.

[zstyles]

GUTS = OOPS? Guess their cockyness as a church got ahead of their brains this time...

[Teatownclown]

That really is sad. Wrong place....wrong time....

Violence and fear suck .

[AquaMan]

That church doesn't appeal to me. But, what is wrong with a church that reaches out to troubled youth having a boxing match? Boxing is legal. They should have had it sanctioned but its an activity that appeals to some young people and was being used as a fundraiser. Not all churches are bake sale, raffle, car wash and bingo operations.

[Conan71]

Bike rallies and boxing.  They ought to do some wet tee shirt contests or mud wrasslin' too. 

[Ibanez]

Bike rallies and boxing.  They ought to do some wet tee shirt contests or mud wrasslin' too. 

Have you seen the "girls" that go to church there?

No thanks!

[Townsend]

Have you seen the "girls" that go to church there?

No thanks!

Whoa whoa whoa...isn't everyone beautiful in His eyes?

I think they removed the term "heavenly skanktified" in the last edition.

[Breadburner]

That place is a joke....If the pastor was the promoter he is in hot water.....

[Teatownclown]

That place is a joke....If the pastor was the promoter he is in hot water.....

Aren't they exempt from taxes liability? And wasn't the "victim" there of his own choice. We need that lawyer guy back.

I'm wondering which The Temple or The Synagogue will be hosting a fight night.

[Conan71]

Aren't they exempt from taxes liability? And wasn't the "victim" there of his own choice. We need that lawyer guy back.

I'm wondering which The Temple or The Synagogue will be hosting a fight night.

I hear mosques are training fighters 

[RecycleMichael]

I like this church and preacher. I have been to a wedding performed by him and I thought the service was very cool. It wasn't my brand of faith but I thought everything about it was great. They have also been a real leader in helping after disasters. Please don't bad mouth the church. The congregation and faith had nothing to do with it.

I just think boxing is a violent sport. The intent is to give your opponent a concussion. It encourages the most violent reactions and wild behavior in the crowd. I have been to a few matches in Tulsa (Fight Night) and I have seen a fight in Las Vegas. It is a very wild scene.

It just seems odd for a church to sponsor such an activity to me. It kinda goes in the face of "turn the other cheek." 

[AquaMan]

I like this church and preacher. I have been to a wedding performed by him and I thought the service was very cool. It wasn't my brand of faith but I thought everything about it was great. They have also been a real leader in helping after disasters. Please don't bad mouth the church. The congregation and faith had nothing to do with it.

I just think boxing is a violent sport. The intent is to give your opponent a concussion. It encourages the most violent reactions and wild behavior in the crowd. I have been to a few matches in Tulsa (Fight Night) and I have seen a fight in Las Vegas. It is a very wild scene.

It just seems odd for a church to sponsor such an activity to me. It kinda goes in the face of "turn the other cheek." 

So I take it you don't care for football or soccer either? 

It does seem odd but I've heard of motorcycle ministries, drive in sermons, and pastors leading fans in praying to God for their team to win. All odd to me.

[RecycleMichael]

So I take it you don't care for football or soccer either? 

Yes, football and soccer can be violent, but the intent of the game is not to hurt your opponent as it is in boxing.

 

[Breadburner]

You can't be that naive can you......

[zstyles]

Yes, football and soccer can be violent, but the intent of the game is not to hurt your opponent as it is in boxing.

 

Very true...