Referee dies after collapsing during high school basketball game in Pennsylvania: Reports

A referee died after collapsing during halftime of a high school junior varsity boys basketball game in Pennsylvania, several outlets reported.

Michael Roebuck, 45, dropped to the floor as he was getting ready for the second half of the game between Yough Senior High School and Mt. Pleasant Area Senior High School on Friday night, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

Westmoreland County officials chapter assigner Bernie George told the Tribune-Review that paramedics tried to resuscitate Roebuck for nearly an hour but he died on the way to the hospital.

Michael Fleming, another referee at the game said Roebuck collapsed as they were leaving the dressing room.

“The first thing I thought of was we have to get him help,” Fleming said, per the Tribune-Review. “I ran out to get a trainer. It was chaos. I just met the guy.”

A beloved coach

WTAE reported that Roebuck had been refereeing since 2019, but had taken a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, and returned last year. His wife told the outlet she had gone to the game to watch him referee when he collapsed.

"I was actually there. I went to watch him referee last night, which I really hadn’t done, so it was odd that’s the way that it happened," Jerica Roebuck told WTAE.

The second half of the game was canceled. The subsequent varsity game was postponed.

Roebuck also leaves behind a son and daughter. Those close to him told WTAE he was a beloved coach and father.

"This area lost a really, really great guy," Doug Yannascoli told the outlet.