Cal High Football Player Seriously Injured After Four-Story Fall

A California High School student underwent surgery today after falling from a four-story dorm room window and breaking his arms and legs while attending a football camp last weekend, according to parents of his teammates and his coach.

Ryan McNeely, who enters his sophomore year in the fall, was at St. Mary's College in Moraga when he apparently tried to climb down to the third floor of the dormitory, using a TV cable for support, according to San Ramon Valley School District spokesman Terry Koehne.

The boys had to be in their dorms by 9:30 p.m. and had to have the lights out before 10:30 each night of the junior varsity and varsity camp, which ran Thursday through Sunday,  according to the camp schedule. But a few students were late for curfew, lost the room key and tried to get to the third floor without getting caught, Koehne said.

"[So] Ryan volunteered to try to get in through the window and let them in – even though it wasn't his room, or his own need," said one Cal High mom, who did not want her name published.

"He broke both arms and both legs," Koehne said. "From what we understand, as recently as this afternoon, he has no head injuries or spinal injuries."

It's unclear, however, if the damage is permanent. Doctors placed pins in at least one of the boy's legs, according to Koehne.

Cal High football coach Eric Billeci confirmed that Ryan was seriously hurt but said he didn't want to disclose any more details out of respect for the boy's family.

A Facebook page – titled "Get Better Ryan McNeely" – was created over the weekend. It has since garnered more than 270 fans. Nick Fowler, a student, posted a message on Tuesday wishing Ryan luck with his surgery.

"Hey guys, Ryan is doing a lot better," wrote Nick. "He is going in for surgery tomorrow for his arms. Let's wish him luck and keep him in our hearts always."

One parent, who also asked to remain anonymous, said the fall happened Thursday night, the first night of the camp, and that Ryan was immediately hospitalized for "extensive injuries." She said she also heard that boys from other high schools left the camp early because they "were seriously injured while practicing," sustaining broken bones.

A phone call to the camp director, Eddie Ford, was not immediately returned. This was the first year Cal High participated in the football camp, which cost $200 to attend and draws participation from several area high schools.

A group of Ryan's classmates and their families are putting together a relief fund for Ryan. Patch will post information about the fundraiser when it becomes available.