The University of the Cumberlands has agreed to pay more than $14 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a wrestler who died after an on-campus workout.
Grant Brace, 20, died in August 2020 of exertional heat stroke after he and other members of the University of the Cumberlands wrestling team repeatedly sprinted up a hill as part of a “punishment practice,” according to the lawsuit filed by Brace’s parents and sister.
The university announced the terms of the settlement in a statement Wednesday. It said it had agreed to participate in a training program and awareness campaign regarding the prevention of heat-related illnesses, in addition to compensating Brace’s family.
Brad Vines, an attorney for the family, said in a statement that the exact financial amount of the settlement is $14,121,699. He added that it is important for the family that the amount of this settlement be known, “so that coaches and educational institutions understand the weight of ignoring heat-related illnesses.”
The lawsuit alleged that the University of the Cumberlands and its wrestling coaches were negligent in the events leading up to Brace’s death, which came on the first day of practice ahead of the 2020-21 season.
After completing several sprints up “punishment hill,” Brace began showing signs of heat stroke and acted erratically, according to the lawsuit. He later left the wrestling room and collapsed, dying of heat stroke.
Vines called Brace’s death “inexcusable,” while noting that deaths from exertional heat strokes are 100% preventable. He said the Brace family has since worked with the Korey Stringer Institute to develop the “B.R.A.C.E. Protocol,” which will be implemented at Brace’s school and promoted at other schools across the country.
The University of the Cumberlands said it “welcomes the opportunity” to work with the family to create “the safest environment possible for student-athletes in all sports.”
The settlement between the University of the Cumberlands and the family of Grant Brace is the largest of its kind in the history of the school. The university has agreed to pay more than $14 million to the family and to participate in a training program and awareness campaign regarding the prevention of heat-related illnesses.
The lawsuit filed by the family alleged that the school and its wrestling coaches were negligent in the events leading up to Brace’s death, which occurred after he and other members of the wrestling team completed several sprints up a hill as part of a “punishment practice.”
Brad Vines, an attorney for the family, said that the exact financial amount of the settlement is $14,121,699 and that it is important for the family that the amount of this settlement be known, “so that coaches and educational institutions understand the weight of ignoring heat-related illnesses.”
The University of the Cumberlands said it “welcomes the opportunity” to work with the family to create “the safest environment possible for student-athletes in all sports.” The school also said it hopes that by resolving this matter early in the legal process, it can offer the Brace family “a measure of peace and healing.”
