Athletic Trainer Saves Fan’s Life at Mishicot Football Game

What started as a regular Friday night football game in Mishicot quickly turned into a lifesaving emergency — one that highlighted the critical role of Athletic Trainers in their communities.

76-year-old Francis Creek resident Barb Stoker collapsed while leaving the field with her son and grandson after the game.

“I don’t remember anything after that,” Stoker said. “The next thing I remember is waking up and saying, ‘It looks like I’m in the hospital.’”

Fortunately, Ashlee Baer, an Athletic Trainer with Aurora Health Care, was nearby packing up equipment when she noticed someone waving for help.

“I saw the coach waving me down, and I noticed a guy leaning down by Barb,” Baer recalled.

Realizing Stoker had no pulse, Baer began CPR while an Athletic Trainer from Manitowoc Lutheran High School joined in. The pair performed several rounds of CPR before an AED was used and Stoker began breathing on her own.

Baer, who also teaches CPR, said the experience reaffirmed the importance of confidence in an emergency.

“You have to be assertive, you have to be confident, you have to take control,” she said.

Stoker was transported to Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, where she received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Her doctor, Dr. Luke Chong, credited the quick actions of Baer and others for saving her life.

“That’s why we have the happy outcome we have today,” he said.

Now back to attending games — and back to babysitting her grandchildren — Stoker said she’ll never forget the Athletic Trainer who saved her.

“I told her she’s my angel,” Stoker said. “I’m so thankful.”

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