Multiple Tufts lacrosse players hospitalized after practice with Navy SEAL

Multiple players of the Tufts University men’s lacrosse team, the reigning NCAA Division III national champions, were hospitalized following a practice last week with a former Navy SEAL.

Patrick Collins, a spokesperson for Tufts University, said 12 members of the men’s lacrosse team were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, or rhabdo, which is a life-threatening condition after a workout on Monday. It’s characterized as a rare muscle injury when muscles break down into the blood, sometimes due to overexertion.

A recent story from Boston.com detailed the lacrosse practice and fallout in the aftermath. Below is an excerpt from the Boston.com story.

Rhabdo can damage kidneys, cause seizures, and lead to permanent disability or death, according to the Center for Disease Control.

The university said they are commissioning an external, independent investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the situation.

Collins said 50 people participated in the 45-minute workout on Monday on campus, which was led by the alumnus who is a recent graduate of the BUD/S Navy SEAL training program. Collins called the workout “voluntary” and “supervised.”

BUD/S Navy SEAL, short for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL, is a 56-week, multi-stage initial training program for Navy SEAL candidates, according to the Navy. The training “is designed to push you to your physical and mental limits,” according to the website.

No details about the workout itself were released.

The spokesperson said all lacrosse team activities are currently postponed, and the condition of the rest of the team is being monitored. He noted the number of rhabdo cases and hospitalizations could change.

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The Boston Globe reported that head coach Casey D’Annolfo was not present during the workout.

“Our thoughts are with the players and their families, and we are hoping for their quick return to good health under the care of local medical experts,” Collins said.

To read the full story from Boston.com about the lacrosse practice, click here.