Lacrosse player, 12, dies after hit

BRIGHTON, N.Y. (WIVB) - A tight-knit community near Rochester is filled with heavy hearts after the death of a 12-year-old athlete. Tyler Kopp died days after a lacrosse ball struck him in the chest during a game.

The pre-teen was playing the game he loved when the accident happened. Last Thursday at the Total Sports Experience, a lacrosse ball hit him in the chest during a game. Tyler collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. He died from his injury early Tuesday.

His father, Brian, wrote, "Tyler had a great sensitivity toward others, a fierce determination and a strong competitive fire. He was the iconic boy - loving sports, the outdoors, and playing with his friends. The Kopp family extends its deepest gratitude to those who kept Tyler in their thoughts and prayers and supported us during the past few days."

Tyler was a 7th grader at Twelve Corners Middle School.

Brighton District Superintendent Dr. Kevin McGowan, "Mirroring his spirit in the classroom and on the playing field, Tyler courageously fought hard to recover from this tragic accident."

At the Total Sports Experience, the games go on, but with a heavy heart.

John Lockhart said, "You never expect anything like that to happen in youth sports, so it's just a complete shock and really sad to hear the situation."

As Lockhart dresses his son and sends him off to play, Tyler's death gives him pause.

"It makes you think as a parent, am I doing everything that I can do to make sure that my son or daughter is properly equipped and protected?"

We posed that question to Mike Katz, head trainer for the pro-lacrosse Rattlers and an assistant trainer at St. John Fisher.

"I think they do a pretty good job and I think over the course of the years it's improving," said Katz.

He says all players must wear shoulder pads that have a chest protector in them, along with elbow pads, gloves, a mouthpiece and helmet. Still, in sports, as in life, accidents will happen.

"It's very disheartening to see a tragic accident happen like that, my heart just bleeds for the family," he said.

An official cause of death has not been released. Thursday night, Tyler's Brighton teammates took the field at the Total Sports Experience as a tribute to their fallen teammate.