Norman Public Schools Athletic Trainer Dies Days After Being Ejected From Vehicle In Crash

The Norman sports community and beyond are in mourning after losing a beloved athletic trainer.

Norman High School's Head Athletic Trainer Russ Schuchman died Thursday.

Schuchman had worked for Norman Public Schools for 29 years.

“It is a tremendously sad day for us,” said Scott. Beck, Norman Public Schools' director of Student Services. “It’s a horrible loss. It’s a tragic loss.”

About 6:50 a.m. Tuesday, Schuchman was traveling westbound on Highway 9 near 72nd Avenue SE when he swerved to avoid an object in the roadway, Norman police said.

Schuchman’s vehicle left the roadway and rolled multiple times.

Police said Schuchman was ejected from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seat belt.

“It’s a nightmare. It's just a terrible situation,” said Beck. “Our heart, first and foremost, just shatters for his wife, his sons and his family.”

Schuchman advocated for sports medicine and safety for athletes at the high school level statewide and beyond, colleagues said.

Numerous colleagues and students, both current and former, took to social media to discuss the impact Schuchman had on their lives.

Beck said now NFL players, coaches and other kids who have gone on to do amazing things have all passed through Schuchman’s training room.

“Russ had such a kind and such caring heart,” said Beck. “Every event, Russ was there and watching over our kids and watching over our athletes. Anytime they needed something, Russ was the guy that was there. He always did it in a spirt of love and care and the utmost professional.”

“He set the bar pretty high,’ said Leander Walker, president of the Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association. “It’s really tough to replace someone of that stature after they have been there 29 years in one setting. That is generations of students that he has impacted.”

Nearly three decades of love and support that not for one day was taken for granted, colleagues said.

“On behalf of this community, parents, athletes and students,” said Beck. “For your love and for your care, for your uncommon selflessness, for your uncommon service and your uncommon loyalty, thank you and we love you.”

Funeral services for Schuchman are scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at St. Thomas More in Norman.

A student set up a GoFundMe page for Schuchman which has already raised more than $21,000.