Iowa Marching Band member dies after medical emergency at Hawkeyes' season opener

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A University of Iowa marching band member has died after experiencing a "significant medical emergency" during the football team's season opener on Sept. 5, the Hawkeyes Marching Band announced.

Derek Phillips, a third-year student and the band's mellophone section leader, was pronounced dead Tuesday, Sept. 8. He was described as "a beloved member of the School of Music horn studio, and the kind of friend, student and musician that represents the very best of what it means to be a Hawkeye," by Eric W. Bush, the band's director.

A post from Phillips' Instagram account, attributed to his family, says he suffered "sudden cardiac arrest" shortly before the band was going to play during halftime of the Iowa vs. Northern Illinois game on Sept. 5 at Kinnick Stadium. He was taken to the university hospital.

"Despite the extraordinary efforts of the ICU team at the University of Iowa Hospital, the damage to his brain was too severe, and we have made the heartbreaking decision to remove life support," his family wrote.

The game kicked off at 3:15 p.m. local time in Iowa City, where the temperature rose to 94 degrees. Just before halftime, the Hawkeye Marching Band posted on social media it would forego its scheduled halftime performance due to the heat.

"The entire Hawkeye Marching Band family is thinking of Derek Phillips and his loved ones," the university said in a statement. "We are grateful to his parents for providing regular updates to the students who love Derek. This is heartbreaking for everyone who cares for him. The university is in close contact and is offering support."

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz opened the press conference Tuesday, saying that members of the Hawkeyes program are "heartbroken."

"On behalf of everyone associated with our program, just want to offer our thoughts, our condolences to his family, his friends and all the people he impacted," Ferentz said.

The Hawkeye Marching Band said it will honor Phillips' memory for the rest of the season and "will communicate those details as they take shape."

"He was a phenomenal musician — whether he was playing jazz, singing his heart out, or marching, under the lights, music was the language of his soul," his family said. "Derek is comfortable, surrounded by family and enveloped in the music he loved so much."

Iowa added the band and school of music have counselors on-site for students during the week.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa Marching Band member dies after medical emergency at Hawkeyes' season opener

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