A UT graduate student died Friday evening at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building. He was identified as 22-year-old Nathan Stephens.
Nathan became unconscious and passed out during or after playing basketball. UT Police Captain of Special Operations Keith Lambert said the incident occurred at approximately 6:25 p.m.
Lambert said the staff at the HPER building began performing CPR on Nathan until the Knoxville Fire Department arrived. He was then transported to the UT Medical Center. He died at approximately 7 p.m.
“There has been no determination as to the reason behind the incident,” Lambert said. “Our detectives are working with KPD investigators on the case. No conclusions will be made prior to a medical finding on the incident.”
While medical records have not been publicly released, Nathan’s father, Henry Stephens, said Nathan had no medical history of seizures, heat exhaustion or any other potential red flags. At the HPER building there is no air conditioning, but it has not been determined whether or not that factored into Nathan’s death. According to Lambert, it is unknown at this time whether there will be an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Henry Stephens said his son was interested in education. Nathan had been working on his teaching certificate and taking graduate courses. He just started an internship with Knoxville Fulton High School, Henry Stephens said.
Nathan played basketball for Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. According to The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, he participated on the 2002-03 District 7-AAA championship squad.
“Nathan was one of those kids that did the best he could. He was always someone you could count on to give his best effort,” said Stephens’ high school basketball coach Kevin Woodson. “He was a vocal leader, and he led by example.”
At Blackman High School, Stephens was a three-year starter at shooting guard. In college, he was a manager on the UT basketball team.
“His family was originally from Ohio, so he was a big fan of Ohio State. He followed (basketball). He was a student of the game. He always wanted to learn new things,” said Woodson. “He didn’t just play it; he wanted to understand it.”
Nathan was also an honor student with aspirations to become a history teacher, Woodson said. His funeral was held Tuesday.