On February 9, 2017, Normal University High School varsity basketball player Kai Bates-Diop suffered from cardiac arrest during a basketball practice at the high school. Kai is alive today after being revived by the UHIGH Athletic Training Staff. Their use of CPR and an AED saved his life.

Bates is the younger brother of former UHIGH standout and current Ohio State University player Keita Bates-Diop, who led the Pioneers to a runner-up finish in Class 2A in 2012.

The Bates Family is honoring this lifesaving event by establishing a fund to help schools who do not have AEDs to purchase them. UHIGH will be selling t-shirts to kick off this fundraising campaign from Friday, February 17th through Friday, February 24th.

Donations from the public are welcome. T0 donate, please mail to: AEDs, c/o University High School, 500 West Gregory Street, Campus Box 7100, Normal, IL 61790-7100.

For more on this story, read the Bloomington Pantagraph's story by clicking here.

Shirts will be on sale for $10 at UHIGH’s Athletics/Activities Office from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Friday, Feb 17th to Friday, Feb 24th, any remaining shirts will be sold at the UHIGH Boys Basketball game on February 24.

Individuals with questions should call 309-438-7373 or email Michelle at ymfreim@ilstu.edu