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SPOKANE -- Family and friends are saying goodbye today, to the Valley Christian Football player who died over the weekend.
Funeral services for 17 year old Drew Swank begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Spokane Church of the Nazarene on 20th Avenue.
The family is requesting casual dress, as that's what Drew would have wanted, especially no ties.
Burial will follow the ceremony at St. Joseph Cemetery in Spokane and then a reception at Valley Christian School gymnasium in Spokane Valley.
Drew suffered brain trauma after a tackle at last Friday's football. He remained on life support until Sunday when his family decided to donate his organs.
A fund to help defray medical expenses has been set up at Spokane Teachers Credit Union under "Andrew Swank".
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SPOKANE -- Monday was a somber day of classes at Valley Christian High School where students there are honoring a classmate.
17-year-old Drew Swank died Sunday night at a Spokane hospital.
A tackle Friday night at Valley Christian's game against Lacrosse-Wastucna left Swank with severe brain injuries. ?
Teammates gathered Monday to leave notes about the impression Swank left on them.
They say Swank always made everyone laugh and he was always cheerful.
In the first quarter, Swank took a front side hit on a kick return that sent him flying.
Swank landed on his head and ran off the field.
Minutes later, he was nauseous, unconscious, and on his way to the hospital.?
On Sunday, he died from severe brain swelling.
He stayed on life support until his family could donate his organs.
School administrator Derick Tabish says the small school's football program is only 3 years old. ???????????
The school dropped from an 11-man to an 8-man rotation this year because of a drop in enrollment, meaning most players play offense and defense.
Tabish says the school raised $20,000 for pads and helmets alone this season.
One of the players says Swank's death doesn't make him feel unsafe on the field but it will always be in the back of his mind.
Tabish says playing the rest of the season will be up to the players themselves. ???????????
The players say Drew would want the season to go on.??
