Death at North Carolina A&T shifts culture

A&T Athletics Director Earl Hilton

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A year removed from a student death on its track, N.C. A&T is updating its athletics policies and boosting its oversight of coaches and efforts to keep athletes safe, even as it prepares for possible litigation after the death of Jospin “Andre” Milandu.  If a lawsuit against the school or its former employees is filed, it could cost the state up to $10 million — just one potential cost of Milandu’s death on Aug. 19, 2010.

“Well-meaning, good-intentioned people in the past have made decisions based on other things than health and safety of the athletes,” said Earl Hilton, athletics director at A&T. “That’s not a shift in perspective that I think is helpful.”

Meanwhile, the family struggles with the emotional cost of losing a son. “In the past, they thought they would be better a year later,” said the family’s attorney, Frank Johns. “They are struggling with this loss.” Johns spoke on behalf of family members, who did not want to comment.

Hilton said he is reviewing athletics department procedures with other high-level A&T staff members to avoid preventable deaths. He’s putting more staff and money toward athlete safety.

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