A New York basketball referee will live to call another game thanks to the quick actions of Toledo, OH Local 92 member Myles Copeland.
Copeland was off duty while playing for the Toledo Glass City Basketball Club in a league game against the Jamestown (New York) Jackals when referee John Sculli collapsed.
“When I got to him, he had no pulse and he wasn’t breathing,” said Copeland. “I followed my training and immediately started CPR while someone else retrieved the defibrillator stored on site. I knew his life was in my hands, so I kept going until the paramedics arrived for transport.”
Sculli had triple-bypass surgery at the hospital. After he recovers, he plans to return to officiating basketball games.
Copeland received a standing ovation when he returned to the court. And at the next game, the league’s president, David Magley, presented him with a special commendation.
“We cannot thank Myles enough, not just because he saved [Sculli’s] life, but the humility with which he carried himself afterwards,” said Magley
Copeland graduated from the fire academy in October 2021 and is serving as a probationary fire fighter for the Toledo Fire Department.
“I graduated college with a biochemistry degree, but fire fighting is a better fit for me,” said Copeland. “It feels good to be a part of a team and help the members of my community every day.”
