Service member taken to hospital after fall before UTSA-Navy game

A military service member was taken to a hospital after falling during a pregame rappelling demonstration at the Alamodome in San Antonio before UTSA played Navy on Saturday, October 17. The fall delayed the start of the college football game by about 10 minutes, the San Antonio Express-News reported. The service member’s condition was not immediately available.

Four service members were set to rappel from the stadium rafters before the coin toss, according to the Express-News. About halfway through the descent, one appeared to slide down in an uncontrolled manner and struck the field. The account does not establish what caused the fall.

Response at the Alamodome

The rappelling team was from Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, according to the Express-News. The Air Force unit trains tactical air controllers and operates from the Chapman Training Annex at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and Camp Bullis, an Army training camp in northern Bexar County. The demonstration took place before UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game against Navy.

UTSA said it was deeply saddened by the incident and expressed concern for the soldier, his family and his military colleagues. The university also said it was activating wellbeing services for faculty, staff and students who may have been affected. MARCA reported that the service member’s condition remained unclear; no confirmed medical update was included in the accounts.

The American Conference said it had consulted representatives of both teams, Alamodome management, local authorities and a working group after the fall. It said it would respect the family’s privacy and coordinate any further updates with the appropriate authorities. The conference also said it was working with its member institutions to connect affected people with support resources.

The game went ahead after the delay. Yahoo Sports reported that UTSA beat Navy 38-34.