By Jean DePlacido
Friends and family of injured St. John's Prep athlete Jared Coppola have set up a fund at the Reading Co-Operative Bank to help defray some of the costs of the injury he sustained during a football scrimmage against Lynn English on Sept. 4.
The junior cornerback suffered a cervical fracture after making a tackle on an English wide receiver, who had caught a pass. St. John's Prep team doctor Rich Iorio was on the sidelines and treated Coppola before he was taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital in Boston, where surgery was performed later that night. Following the injury Coppola had feeling, but no movement.
Doctors repaired the fracture and stabilized the neck area, but Coppola's long-term prognosis is undetermined. His family, coaches, and teammates remain hopeful for a full recovery, but Coppola faces a long rehabilitation period during which medical expenses will continue to mount.
Later this week he will be med-flighted to the Sheppard Center in Atlanta, one of the top rehabilitation centers in the country. The cost of the med-flight is not covered by insurance.
Doctors have removed his breathing tube, and Coppola is able to talk. He is eager to start rehabilitation.
The Coppola family has been active in Prep football for the past six years, starting with their son Derek, an outstanding tailback for the Eagles who is now playing at the University of New Hampshire. Jared is a triplet; one of his brothers, Tyler, scored a touchdown in the Prep's 32-7 season-opening win over Peabody last Friday night. Jared's other brother, Brandon, had his football career ended last season after a cervical fracture suffered in a JV game.
Anyone wishing to contribute can send a check to: The Jared Coppola Fund, c/o Reading Co-Operative Bank, 170 Park Street, North Reading, MA 01864.
