The Mount Saint Michael Academy brought in grief counselors for students Wednesday, a day after a 14-year-old boy died during football practice.
Dominick Bess, of Baychester, went into cardiac arrest during practice Tuesday morning, emergency responders told News 12. A school staff member tried to resuscitate him before paramedics rushed him to Montefiore Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Mourners have since erected a makeshift memorial outside his Baychester home, where relatives have been grieving and awaiting news on an exact cause of death from the medical examiner. Officials say the investigation could take weeks.
Dominick's uncle says the boy had received a scholarship to attend the school and was excited to join the freshman football team.
The team held optional practice Wednesday and the school says players will return to the field again Thursday morning. Teammates say they plan to dedicate the season to their fallen peer.