A 15-year-old high school football player collapsed and died on Staten Island — and his devastated coach said, “I feel like I’ve lost a member of my family.’’
Nicholas Dellaventura, a sophomore at St. Joseph by-the-Sea HS, was breathing — but had a soaring temperature — when paramedics rushed him to Staten Island University Hospital on Monday at 6:09 p.m., law-enforcement sources said.
Dellaventura had just finished a voluntary, 90-minute workout with his teammates, who had all taken a knee to listen to coach Rich Clark, according to New York Archdiocese spokeswoman Fran Davies.
As Clark addressed the team, coaches and teammates realized Dellaventura was struggling to breathe and couldn’t stand up on his own, Davies said. That’s when they gave first-aid and called paramedics.
The Vikings football player was pronounced dead several hours later at the hospital.
There were very few moments when the 5-foot-8, 210-pound Dellaventura wasn’t smiling, Clark said.
“He was like an angel, a really nice, jovial kid,” Clark said. “He always had a smile on his face, whether he was playing football or in school. It’s just a tragedy.
“There are not enough nice things you can say about the kid. I feel like I lost a member of my family.”
Dellaventura, whose brother Daniel played defensive end for the Vikings and graduated in 2010, had been expected to see significant playing time on the offensive line this season.
He was also being considered for double-duty on defense.
“I was just with him in the Caribbean five days ago,” said Nicholas’ cousin Rob, who learned the tragic news from a friend. “My friend texted me and said, ‘Sorry for your loss.’
“He was a 15-year-old kid — happiest kid in the world.”
Nicholas’ mother said, “I’m just too sad right now.”
Former Vikings football player Joseph Giubileo, who just graduated, said Dellaventura “was a really good football player. He would have been probably one of the best to walk through Sea.’’
Dellaventura’s autopsy was completed yesterday, but the cause of death might not be known for another 10 days.
A steady stream of friends, neighbors and students dropped by the family’s Huguenot Avenue home to pay their respects.
Additional reporting by David K. Li and Larry Celona