Marmion coach in critical condition after being hit in head with shotput

A coach at Marmion Academy in Aurora was seriously injured after being struck in the head Friday in a shot-putting accident during warm-ups for the Bartlett state sectional track meet in Elgin.

The 42-year-old coach was taken to Presence Saint Joseph Hospital in critical condition after being struck in the head by the 12-pound shot at Elgin High School, according to Elgin Police Cmdr. Glenn Theriault, who called it “just a horrible, horrible accident.”

The coach, Ed DeGeeter, was hit when a student shot-putter was warming up, authorities and a school official said.

Marmion’s athletic director, Joe Chivari, said DeGeeter was standing with another coach outside the throwing area and was looking at his clipboard when a boy practicing struck DeGeeter in the upper forehead.

“When he got hit in the head with a 12-pound steel ball, it was like getting hit with a cannonball,” said Chivari, who rode to the hospital in the ambulance with DeGeeter.

He said the coach was conscious Saturday and has been “speaking a bit more.”

Chivari said DeGetter is a contract employee with the all-boys high school and coaches two track and field events: shot put and discus. In the fall, he also helps coach football.

“He’s just a friendly person,” Chivari said. “You just hate to see anything bad happen to this guy.”

Chivari said he’s also concerned about the boy whose errant put injured DeGetter. The boy is not a Marmion student, Chivari said.

“I’m hoping he doesn’t feel guilty,” he said.

DeGetter’s family could not be reached.

The Bartlett sectional included 15 teams.