The Air Force has identified Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a decorated 15-year veteran, as the airman who died after falling during a military demonstration before the October 17 UTSA-Navy football game at San Antonio’s Alamodome.
Medical personnel treated Patterson on the field before emergency crews took him to a hospital, where he later died, according to the American Conference’s statement.
San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Joe Arrington told ABC News that firefighters responded around 7 p.m. and that emergency crews took the airman to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A 15-year Air Force career
Patterson, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, served as a Tactical Air Control Party instructor with the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio, according to the Nellis Air Force Base news release. He earned recognition as the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level in 2022.
“This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing,” Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, the wing’s commander, said in the Nellis release. “Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him. Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”
The Air Force is investigating the circumstances surrounding Patterson’s death.
Why the game continued
The American Conference said both schools supported continuing the game while officials followed military casualty-notification procedures. Nellis had not publicly confirmed the airman’s condition when officials discussed how to proceed, the conference said.
Respect for the family’s privacy and the military’s notification process guided the decision, according to the conference. Nellis confirmed his death at 11:40 p.m. Eastern time, the statement said.
UTSA had promoted the matchup as its Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
University President Taylor Eighmy said in a campus message that UTSA would provide in-person support throughout the week and confidential counseling for students and employees affected by the incident.
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