University of Iowa marching band member dies after collapsing at football game
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Friends are remembering an Iowa college student who died after collapsing at the Iowa versus Northern Illinois University game in Iowa City over the weekend.
Derek Phillips' family says he suffered sudden cardiac arrest Saturday and died Tuesday after being taken off life support.
One former bandmate says Phillips was a role model who pushed others to be their best.
"Obviously heartbroken and stunned, I mean, words can't describe it," JJ Daly said.
Daly woke up Tuesday morning to a text from a friend.
The Iowa State University freshman learned Phillips, the person he had looked up to since middle school, died.
"When I saw that first, I didn't believe it. And yeah, when I heard it, when it was confirmed that that was true, I was just stunned for words," Daly said.
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Before Phillips played in the Iowa Hawkeyes marching band, Daly says Phillips set the standard for the Western Dubuque High School marching band.
"He was a very firm believer of hard work, but he also liked to have fun with it. And he was a very enjoyable person to be around," Daly said.
Daly says Phillips was more than just a talented musician.
He wanted to help others be their best.
"Just seeing on social media all the comments from different people telling their stories about Derek, that helps me know that looking at the impact that he left on the world, and although his time was short, it was very meaningful," Daly said.
All Daly wants now is for people to honor Phillips by "living like Derek."
"A lot of the things that Derek did were just because he was going to try something new, then worked his butt off at it and was very good at it. So I would say just be happy. Have fun; don't take anything for granted," Daly said.
Phillips was born in Cedar Rapids and was also a member of the Dubuque Symphony Youth Ensembles.
The Western Dubuque School District says its community is deeply saddened by his death and hopes his family and friends find comfort in the memories he leaves behind.
