Pace Coach Dies After Collapsing at Halftime

Pace University Coach Darrell Halloran collapsed during halftime of his team’s game with American International College in New York on Saturday, and then died of apparent heart failure after being taken to a hospital.

Halloran, 47, left the floor with his team at halftime and was with his assistants in a room adjoining the locker room when he collapsed.

“The players were in the locker room and didn’t see it. Our trainer was right there and went to work immediately and continued to work on him until the paramedics arrived,” Athletic Director Joe O’Donnell said. “We just thought he passed out. Nobody had any idea it was this serious. I talked with the coaches and decided to continue the game.”

Halloran was taken to New York Downtown Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:10 p.m., according to a New York City Fire Department spokesman.

“It’s incredible. He had no history of serious heart ailments. I think he had a little blood pressure problem, but you never expect this,” O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell said he went to the gym and had to break the news to the team after the game, which was won by American International, 75-74.

“They were devastated,” he said. “He was a great guy, very well-respected by people in the business. He was a real mentor, really just one of those people that you really enjoy working with.”

Halloran had a 231-180 record in 15 seasons at Pace, the most victories and best winning percentage (.562) in the history of the Division II program.

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