University settles $14.1 million lawsuit after student athlete died during 'punishment practice'

A settlement has been agreed after a University of the Cumberlands student wrestler died after a ‘punishment practice’.

The student, Grant Brace, died on 31 August 2020 at just 20 years old after taking part in a wrestling session at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.

In the aftermath, Brace’s cause of death was revealed as a result of ‘exertional heatstroke’. Footage was later released showing the student trying to look for a source of water after the session had ended.

An autopsy then ruled Brace’s death as preventable.

Now, it was reported that Brace’s family and the University of the Cumberlands have reached a settlement of $14.1 million last week.

The lawsuit by the Brace family claimed the student’s wrestling team were forced to train in the blisteringly hot 84-degree weather, and was ordered by coaches to sprint up and down a hill nicknamed ‘punishment hill’.

It was also reported the student was told he would be kicked off the team after he attempted to opt out of the training.

According to CNN, the lawsuit alleged that the team wasn't provided with water and coaches 'ignored Grant's deteriorating medical condition’.

Speaking to Good Morning America, a member of the wrestling team, Alex Myers said: “It was absolutely horrible. Nobody really had any water at all left in their water bottles and we were not allowed to go back into the [locker] room until the end of punishment.”

Whilst the University of the Cumberlands’ chancellor Jerry Jackson said in a press release: “Grant was a talented, well liked young man entering his junior year with a bright future ahead of him. Our University community continues to mourn his untimely loss.

“We sincerely hope that resolving this matter early in the legal process will offer the Brace family a measure of peace and healing.

“The University made the decision to settle the case now in a manner it hopes will respect the Brace family’s tremendous loss.”

Brace’s family’s attorney stated that the university will now be required to implement a heat-illness training programme called the ‘B.R.A.C.E Protocol’.

The LADbible Group have contacted the University of the Cumberlands for comment.