ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of a former University of Central Florida football player who died after an offseason workout more than three years ago is set to begin in Orlando with jury selection.
Nineteen-year-old Ereck Plancher collapsed and later died in March 2008 at the end of a preseason workout conducted by UCF coach George O’Leary and his staff. The lawsuit, filed against UCF’s athletic association and board of trustees by Enock and Giselle Plancher, alleges school officials knew he had sickle cell trait, failed to inform him of the condition and chastised him as he struggled through the workout.
It also alleges O’Leary didn’t make water available during part of the workout and ordered trainers to leave. The trial is expected to last three weeks.
