Wisconsin high school basketball referee dies after collapsing on court

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. — A high school basketball referee in Wisconsin died after collapsing on the court during a boys varsity game Monday night.

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Tracy Krueger, 69, collapsed while officiating a boys basketball game between Richland Center and Mount Horeb, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

His death was confirmed in an email to The Associated Press by his son, Brendan Krueger. No cause was given.

The Journal Sentinel also confirmed Tracy Krueger’s death through an email sent by the family, which was forwarded from Richland Center administration officials.

“As he did as a colleague, competitor, teacher, and coach, he was once again sharing his love of athletics, competitive spirit, teamwork and fair play, while refereeing a basketball game when he collapsed on the court,” Krueger’s family said in the e-mail. “Unfortunately, he was unable to be revived.”

The news also was confirmed to the Journal Sentinel earlier Tuesday by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

According to Wissports.net, Krueger collapsed late in the second half of the game at Richland Center. Krueger was given life-saving attempts via CPR and an automated external defibrillator. He was taken to an area hospital and died that night.

Richland Center High School Principal Jon Bosworth said Krueger blew his whistle to indicate he needed a break, according to the AP.

University of Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Greg Gard issued a statement through the Wisconsin Basketball Twitter account paying tribute to Krueger and Ritchie Davis, the director of the Wisconsin Playground AAU Club, who died Sunday.

“Losing Tracy Krueger leaves an enormous hole, not only in the Wisconsin basketball community in southwest Wisconsin, but athletics in general in that area,” Gard wrote. “If you grew up anywhere near southwest Wisconsin, you knew Tracy. He coached me in the early 80s at Bill Cofield and Steve Yoder’s camps. He worked our camps at UW-Platteville, Milwaukee and Wisconsin. He was just a great person who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it.

“Between coaching and officiating nearly every sport, he was so well known, helpful and touched so many lives. I’ll be missing his ‘Saying of the Week’ positivity every Monday morning. Sincere condolences to his wife, Cecilia, and his children and grandchildren.”

Cox Media Group