Referee Michael Roebuck passed away on Friday, February 2, at halftime during a high school junior varsity boys’ basketball game, have a look at his cause of death and age
The sports community in New Staton, Pennsylvania, is in sorrow.
Who is high school basketball referee Michael Roebuck, cause of death, obituary, age, bio, family and wife
The referee was 45 years old at the time of his death.
Michael Roebuck leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter, as well as a tight-knit sports community and so many kids who heโs coached and mentored over the years. pic.twitter.com/8AhczOXn11
— โSudden And Unexpectedโ (@toobaffled) February 6, 2024
Age 25 Michael Roebuck passed out on the court at halftime during the match between Mt. Pleasant Area Senior High School and Yough Senior High School. Michael died en route to the hospital, even though paramedics tried to revive him for almost an hour, according to Westmoreland County authorities.
The referee’s wife, Jerica Roebuck, described her husband’s breakdown during the game in an interview with WTAE. Regarding the catastrophe, Jerica stated that she was there. It was strange how it happened since she had never watched him referee before, but she went to watch him that night.
Statement from Mt. Pleasant Superintendent Tim Gabauer on the passing of referee Michael Roebuck:@VikingNation_MP @MPAVikings @TribLiveHSSN @YoughAthletics @TribSports pic.twitter.com/bbP1R00gc3
— Bill Beckner (@BillBeckner) February 3, 2024
The game’s other referee, Michael Fleming, stated that his initial impression was that they needed to assist him. He hurried to seek assistance, but all was in vain.
Early life
In 2019, Michael Roebuck started his career as a referee. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he took a sabbatical and came back in 2023. He was a graduate of Yough High School and participated in a variety of sports, such as football, basketball, and baseball, according to the McCauley Funeral Home.
After earning his degree from Penn State, Michael Roebuck started working at Messer Gases. He joined the Hempfield Recreational Basketball League, the Sewickley Area Athletic Association baseball and softball leagues, and the Yough midget football league after deciding to pursue a career in refereeing.
A Pennsylvania high school referee died after collapsing during halftime of a game over the weekend. Michael Roebuck, 45, collapsed while refereeing a junior varsity basketball game and later died en route to the hospital but an official cause of death hasn’t been given.
Tributes pour in after the sudden demise of the referee
Michael was characterized as a โgenuinely good manโ by Brian Pritts, one of his coworkers, who was enthusiastic about youth sports. The New Staton community lost a really great guy, according to Roebuck’s acquaintance. Since he made the kids laugh the most, Michael was the kids’ favourite coach, according to another acquaintance, Doug Yannascoli, who recalled this fondly. Moreover, Yannascoli said that Michael passed away carrying out the activity he loved.
Kaelyn Roebuck said that Michael had a profound impact on a lot of people. The basketball team of Mt. Pleasant Area Senior High School, according to Trib Live, showed exemplary support by giving the deceased’s family the whole earnings of a 50/50 raffle.
Luke and Kaelyn, Michael Roebuck’s two children, and his wife, Jerica Roebuck, survive him. Along with his in-laws and a large number of nieces and nephews, he is also survived by his brothers Dan Roebuck Jr. and his wife Noel, David Roebuck and his girlfriend Missy, and Scott Roebuck and his wife Yasmine.
The Holy Family Roman Catholic Church will host a memorial service for Michael Roebuck on Wednesday, February 7, at 10 a.m., according to McCauley Funeral Home.