Northwest Graduate in Critical Condition Following Collapse at Practice

(Updated 6:09 p.m. Wednesday) Derek Sheely, a 2007 Northwest graduate and football stand-out, collapsed during a football practice on Monday at Frostburg State University and had to be flown to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery, school and hospital officials said.

Sheely, a fullback at Frostburg, was listed in “critical, but stable condition” at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, following multiple surgeries, spokeswoman Cindy Rivers said Wednesday.

Frostburg spokeswoman Liz Medcalf said Sheely collapsed while participating in "regular drills” and was taken to a nearby hospital before he was transferred to Baltimore.

Locally, fans have been reacting to the news. Information about Sheely was posted in an online forum at MoCoFootball.com, a website for Montgomery County sports.

Mike Neubeiser, current Northwest Football coach, said that he had been in touch with Sheely’s family regarding his condition.

"He and his family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers," Neubeiser said.

Sheely was a co-captain on the 2006 Northwest football team that went 12-1, losing only to Sherwood in the regional playoffs. He originally attended Penn State University before transferring to Frostburg.

Patch will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.