A Texas high school track coach is fighting for his life after a devastating accident during a state competition. Blake Crutsinger, an assistant coach at Ponder High School, was struck in the head by a shot put at the Region II-3A UIL meet in Tyler on Saturday, May 2. The freak incident has left the beloved coach in the intensive care unit with serious injuries.
According to reports from the Denton Record-Chronicle and NBC affiliate KXAS-TV, Crutsinger was standing near the throwing area when the shot put—a heavy metal ball used in track and field—accidentally hit him. The impact caused a skull fracture and brain swelling, as shared by his wife, Leslie Crutsinger, in a heartfelt Facebook post just hours after the accident.
“Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Blake and sending messages today,” Leslie wrote, emphasizing the importance of compassion in a difficult moment. She also asked for prayers for the young athlete from the opposing school who threw the shot put, noting that he is “taking this accident very hard.”
The quick response from those on-site made a critical difference. Leslie praised the “coaching family” that rallied around her husband, saying, “The quick actions of the coaches, trainers, and any medical staff that helped at the school and the quick response of the ambulance was a game changer in Blake’s prognosis. The adults and athletes who were there and witnessed what happened were shook to say the least.”
Crutsinger, who also serves as an assistant football coach at Ponder High School, underwent surgery on Monday, May 4, to reduce the swelling in his brain. In a lighthearted update, Leslie joked that her husband’s scar from the procedure means he will likely be wearing “even more ball caps in his future.” She added that the long-term plan involves remaining in the ICU until doctors can replace the bone flap in his skull.
As the track and field community rallies around the Crutsinger family, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in sports—even for those on the sidelines. Our thoughts are with Coach Crutsinger, his family, and everyone affected by this tragic event.