FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - A Fayetteville State player readying to play in his first game for the team has died after becoming ill at practice. <br>
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Trey Arnold, 22, of Atlanta, died Wednesday at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville from what school officials said was a brain aneurysm. <br>
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Arnold, who became academically eligible to play and entered the Division II school two weeks ago, was set to play his first game Thursday against Shaw. <br>
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``He was ready to play,'' said Kenny Haywood, a fellow player and Arnold's roommate. ``I mean, that's all he talked about. He was only here for a short time, but he fit in right away. He was really ready to contribute to our team, and he could have helped us out, too.'' <br>
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Haywood said Arnold had complained of a headache Monday morning and was still suffering from it when he got to practice that afternoon. <br>
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Arnold began vomiting as the team gathered for warmups. FSU athletics director Bill Carver said the team's trainer had Arnold lie down. Soon afterward, Arnold became unresponsive and the trainer called for emergency medical attention. <br>
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Hospital officials would not reveal the cause of death, but school officials said it was a brain aneurysm. Thomas Arnold, his father, said his son had no history of health problems. <br>
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``He had a clean bill of health,'' Arnold said. ``This is totally a shock. He worked so hard. He was a gym jock and was in great condition. It's just hard to believe.'' <br>
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Arnold had attended high school in Germany and played the 1997-98 season at Atlanta Metro Junior College. Arnold met Fayetteville State assistant coach Sam Hangar in 2000 and later decided to restart his athletic career at the Division II school. <br>
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Arnold ultimately met the NCAA's academic entrance requirements and gained admission to the school. <br>
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Haywood said the team will try to cope with his death. <br>
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``Now we'll have to play for him,'' Haywood said. ``We can dedicate this season to Trey.''
