On August 13, 2014, our son William Shogran Jr. passed away far too soon at the age of 14. He was attending a football camp with his high school team here in Florida. During one practice, he felt unwell so his coaches him sit down, drink some water and cool down. He started to feel dizzy and passed out. 911 was called and CPR was started. Medical staff worked on him for an hour trying to revive him with no luck. It was too late.

We recently found out that my William passed from a heat stroke. His temperature was 107 after they had already tried to cool him down. There was no telling what his temperature was before that. 

The issue is that there are no mandatory protocols in place to prevent more tragic heat stroke deaths among young athletes. So I’m urging the the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Florida High School Athletic Association to make vital measurements mandatory before and after practice for high school athletes playing in hot weather playing conditions.

From my research, I understand that 13 states (including Florida) have "adopted guidelines” that coaches and trainers should abide by in handling these issues. But they are just suggestions, not mandates. There is no obligation for schools to take preventative actions here. I propose not just here in FL but everywhere that vitals should be taken such as temp taking and blood pressure. That ice tubs should be readily available in the event heat illness occurs and that WGBT be in place for extra monitoring.

In the State of Kentucky, it is a requirement that tubs be present during practices in hot weather just in case an incident happens they can quickly move a player into it to quickly bring the body temp down. In Georgia, the schools will be fined for not following guidelines and the schools are required to have a Wet Globe Bulb Temperature Meter (WGBT) to measure not the temp but what the sun and humidity is doing. Why shouldn't these laws and requirements be in place everywhere? It is sad because it doesn't take much to make a big difference. Many young people have suffered from the heat and too many have passed.

William looked at the good in people and loved with his heart. He was funny and had a loud laugh that always made everyone else laugh. He was a gentle giant, and I have no doubt he would have gone far in life. He had aspirations of becoming a youth pastor when he got older. We want to make this change in honor of the great life he led, even at such a young age.

This is an easy change that could save your son, daughter, niece, nephew, etc. We need this for all high school sports, band members, and cheer not just football. Please sign this petition if you support this common sense change that can save young people’s lives. Thank you!