Football Game Cancelled to Honor Arapahoe HS Player's Death

CENTENNIAL, CO – An Arapahoe High School football game against Cherry Creek High Schools' team for Friday was cancelled out of respect for parents and teammates of a student who died last week.

Senior and varsity football player Nick Bales died Sept. 29. The Littleton Public School district identified the manner of death as suicide. Another student died two days later, also by suicide the district said.

"The Arapahoe Warrior Football team, in particular its upperclassmen, have been impacted significantly," [by Bales's death] said an Oct. 4 letter from the Arapahoe HS athletic department. "In light of the current condition of our boys and with memorial services pending, the athletic department, in collaboration with the coaching staff, has made the request that this Friday’s varsity football game between Arapahoe and Cherry Creek not be played. Recognizing that there is nothing more important than the social and emotional health of kids, Cherry Creek High School has graciously agreed to forgo the game. It has been canceled and will not be rescheduled."

Classes were cancelled Wednesday, although students were allowed to come to school and participate in activities or socialize.

"Everyone is on the verge of mental break," junior AHS student Cathy DeVoe told the Littleton Independent. "But I feel like we're a very supportive community and are not judging everyone about it."

Bales also played hockey on the Heritage High School team which includes players from all three LPS districts. Coach Jeremy Sims remembered Bales as a "a good friend to a lot of kids," in an Independent interview with reporter David Gilbert. "The kids talk about to be a good hockey team, we have to be a family," Sims said. "We have to trust each other and love each other. We're trying to make that more forward-facing, so kids know they're not alone."

The name of the second student was not officially released by the school or the district.

Mental health professionals and counselors were in the school Wednesday and Thursday and would return next week if they were needed, Principal Natalie Pramenko said in a letter.

"It is important that we come together ... in the days ahead to support one another. Hug your kids and tell them you love them. Our kids need us. Now more than ever, Warriors take care of one another."

Related: Arapahoe HS Mourns Loss Of Two Students

If you are in need of mental health help, call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255.
Arapahoe High School asked parents to check Littleton Public Schools' list of local resources, including mental health services, and urged them to seek assistance for themselves or their children if needed. The list is located here.

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