2020
TASO FOOTBALL TO PRESENT THE DR. BILL FARNEY AWARD TO FOUR INDIVIDUALS FOR HEROIC MEASURES
The Football Division Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Sports Officials has unanimously voted to present the Dr. Bill Farney to three Athletic Trainers and one Team Doctor for their heroic measures during life threatening situations.
The Dr. Bill Farney Award, named after the former UIL Executive Director, was created to recognize individuals associated with Texas Junior/Middle and High School teams for heroic actions during a medical emergency.
On October 19, 2019 while officiating a varsity football game at Melissa High School, TASO member Dennis Bennett collapsed on the field in cardiac arrest. While Dr. Andrew Parker, a volunteer Melissa Team Doctor performed CPR, Melissa Athletic Trainer Jose Mendez radioed a student assistant for an automated external defibrillator, or AED. Parker, Mendez along with Celina Athletic Trainer Kyle Sheridan continued to work on Bennett until he was revived.
On October 29, 2019 a Marshall junior high football player went down on the field with no pulse and not breathing. Marshall Athletic Trainer Antse Woods immediately attended the player performing CPR until EMT personnel arrived.
The immediate lifesaving actions of Athletic Trainers Mendez, Sheridan, Woods and Dr, Parker are being recognized by TASO Football as recipients of the Dr. Bill Farney Award.
