The VMI campus is mourning one of their own this weekend, Cadet John Evans from Maryland, who took part in what’s becoming a tradition. A university spokesman says Evans came back from a 10-mile march, a practice march, leading up to a 23-mile march from Harrisonburg to New Market at the end of November.
Senior, Matthew Graham, tells us when they practice, they gradually add more miles to their route.
“They start off with short distances...two, three miles, four miles and so on,” he said.
Col. Stewart MacInnis said Saturday’s march was 10 miles.
"When the cadets returned to the barracks, Cadet Evans simply collapsed and was immediately taken to the local hospital,” said MacInnis. That’s where Evans was pronounced dead.
MacInnis said before any students are admitted to the school, they have to meet medical standards- the same any soldier enlisting in the army would have to meet.
"We're going to review everything that went on yesterday, just look into everything and see if we need to modify some of our procedures,” MacInnis said.
Graham talked with other cadets who said nothing seemed unusual.
"He was always pushing through to the end, never quitting, never giving up and he gave no indication on this march that he was in any kind of trouble,” Graham said.
Graham told us they take precautions during the marches. A van follows behind the cadets in case anybody needs to get some medical attention.
"For this one, they stopped every three miles and took a water break,” he explained.
It’s a march that usually ends in camaraderie, but this time they learned a lesson.
"That's the biggest thing. We just need to look out for each other,” Graham said.
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