Prayers for TTU's Drew Hixon Requested

[E.T.]

Press Conference to be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. EDT

The family of Drew Hixon has agreed to hold a brief press conference on Thursday morning, Sept. 16, beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Stan and Rebecca Hixon will talk about their son, Drew, and answer questions. An update on Drew’s condition will be given to open the press conference, and the focus after that will allow Mr. and Mrs. Hixon to talk about their son.

The Press Conference will be held in the first floor auditorium of the Medical Arts Building, adjacent to the hospital.

Will Darnall, director of public relations for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa will conduct the press conference. He is also available to present questions provided to him in advance by media members who cannot attend.

[rich.sessums]

Gosh, I really hope this is going to be good news.  I'm going to a 9 year old's funeral today and he died from a brain injury (from a bike/car accident."  I"m still praying for Hixon to have a full recovery.

[RHBullsFan]

My thoughts and prayers are with he and his family. Lets hope for some good news.

[Guest crossed_everything]

Any word yet? PLEASE let it be good news.

[Guest Media_Types_Unite]

Press Conference to be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. EDT

The family of Drew Hixon has agreed to hold a brief press conference on Thursday morning, Sept. 16, beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Stan and Rebecca Hixon will talk about their son, Drew, and answer questions. An update on Drew’s condition will be given to open the press conference, and the focus after that will allow Mr. and Mrs. Hixon to talk about their son.

The Press Conference will be held in the first floor auditorium of the Medical Arts Building, adjacent to the hospital.

Will Darnall, director of public relations for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa will conduct the press conference. He is also available to present questions provided to him in advance by media members who cannot attend.

Media may submit questions to Will either by phone (813) 554-8216 or (813) 227-3430, or via email at:

Will.darnall@baycare.org

[E.T.]

The above didn't help ... I haven't seen anything on TTU's site ...

[Velcro]

still nothing on the AP wire about it: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sportId=23

[Brad]

Published Thursday, September 16, 2004

Parents hopeful that receiver hurt against USF will recover

By FRED GOODALL

AP Sports Writer

TAMPA, Fla. The parents of a Tennessee Tech receiver who remains in a coma after being injured in a helmet-to-helmet collision are optimistic their son will recover and eventually graduate from college.

Drew Hixon, son of Washington Redskins assistant Stan Hixon, has been in critical condition at St. Joseph's Hospital since being carted off the field during the second quarter of the Golden Eagles' 21-7 loss to South Florida last Saturday.

Stan Hixon said Thursday that his son has not regained consciousness since being injured when he was tackled after making a catch. The impact of the hit knocked the younger Hixon's helmet off his head.

"He has not regained consciousness, however we are very encouraged by the progress he has shown. ... We're looking forward to his recovery," Hixon said at a news conference, also attended by the player's mother, Rebecca; a younger sister and the receiver's girlfriend.

Doctors have told the Hixons that the 22-year-old senior could regain consciousness at any time. Their son is a transfer from LSU where his father was an assistant last season when the Tigers won the Bowl Championship Series title for their first national championship in 45 years.

"It's day to day. ... It could be week to week," the father said.

The Hixons were unable to share many details about the injury or their son's condition, other than to say they were originally told that Drew had a brain bruise. Doctors did not attend the news conference, held in the hospital auditorium.

"He does make a lot of movements, both positive and negative," Stan Hixon said, adding that Drew also appears to respond to some voices, including his mother's.

The parents described Drew as a quiet and reserved young man, who loves family and football. A finance major, his mother said he needs two classes to earn a degree at Tennessee Tech in December. He attended high school in Kennesaw, Ga.

"That won't happen, we're pretty sure," Mrs. Hixon said. "But we believe he will graduate."

Stan Hixon has been in almost daily contact with Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, and the NFL club sent the team chaplain to Tampa to spend time with the family.

Hixon is a native of nearby Lakeland, and several family members were in the stands with Rebecca and one of Drew's two sisters for the game last weekend.

"There's shock and disbelief, then a realization that this is real and I'm not dreaming," Mrs. Hixon said. "Dealing with it and being strong is the next stage."

Stan Hixon was in Washington preparing for the Redskins' season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he received a call from his wife. He flew to Florida on Sunday morning and plans to remain during the period of uncertainty.

The elder Hixon has watched tape of the hit and noted his son was hurt on a pass play that's fairly common in football.

"I've seen it happen before and guys get up and walk away. You see some hits where guys barely get hit and they (get) hurt," Hixon said, adding that Drew's injury hasn't change his perspective about injuries.

"It's a collision sport. It's a tough, physical sport. Injuries happen. We know as players and coaches that you're one play away from getting hurt. But obviously no one feels he's going to get hurt."

Randy Smith, an assistant athletic director at Tennessee Tech, has been in Tampa since early in the week and plans to stay until the school's football trainer returns after this weekend's game at VMI.

Smith said Hixon's teammates are "still a little shocked, which is to be expected" and will dedicate Saturday's game to the receiver.

Story Link

[E.T.]

Buddy of mine called me about the News Conference, just mainly that they appreciate the support from USF Fans.

Keep him in your prayers.

[jfcohio]

Any word on the financial situation of the family?

This has got to be tough on them, and the bills are going to start adding up.

Paypal has a donation icon. Could we all help them out?