David Cooper of Chattanooga, a tenth-grade day student at McCallie School, died Wednesday evening, school officials said.
The student collapsed Wednesday afternoon in the Sports and Activities Center and received immediate attention from the school's trained first responders, officials said.
He had just finished taking part in crew practice and collapsed in front of his teammates, including his twin brother.
He was shortly thereafter transported to the emergency room at Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
He was 17. He is survived by his parents, Mike and Diane Cooper, his twin brother Reid, older brother Chase, and younger sister Brett.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the Cooper family," said Headmaster Dr. R. Kirk Walker. "David was a wonderful young man with a great spirit, and our community will mourn his loss." Mr. Walker also expressed his gratitude for the rapid response from McCallie's coaches and athletic trainers as well as that of the EMTs, doctors and nurses.
McCallie officials said, "The school's first priority is to honor the wishes and needs of the Cooper family in this difficult time. The second focus will be on the school community itself, to inform them and provide all necessary support. The boarding community was informed at a gathering in McCallie Chapel late Wednesday evening."
On Thursday, school began with an assembly of the entire Upper School in Chapel at 8 a.m. The administration requested that this gathering be limited to students and staff.