Air Force Service Member Who Died at College Football Game Identified as 15-Year Veteran

The U.S. Air Force service member who died during an accident as part of a pregame college football demonstration has been identified.

Nellis Air Force Base announced in a statement on Monday that the deceased was Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

Patterson was pronounced dead on Saturday from injuries sustained in what was described as a 170-foot fall while rappelling down to the field at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, prior to the start of the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) and Naval Academy college football game.

A Nellis spokesperson told Military.com on Sunday that Patterson was treated by medical staff on the field after the accident, and was then transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his undisclosed injuries.

“This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, 57th Wing commander, in a statement on Monday. “Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him. Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones and fellow airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”

Patterson, of Fort Stewart, Ga., served 15 years and his military decorations included the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters; the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal, each with one oak leaf cluster.

In 2022, Patterson was named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level.

“Our relationship with local community partners is incredibly important to our Airmen, especially during difficult times like these,” Mills added. “We are grateful to the San Antonio community and our mission partners at Joint Base San Antonio for the care, compassion and support they have shown.”

On X, Nellis added the following remarks: “We ask everyone to respect the privacy of Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. Please refrain from contacting the family directly as they grieve this immeasurable loss.”

How Patterson Died and Why Game Was Still Played

​​​​​​​Patterson was one of four service members descending from the rafters ahead of UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans game, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Video that circulated on social media following the incident shows Patterson lose grip of the rope and crash to the ground at a high rate of speed. Some spectators can be heard gasping at what they witnessed, while others seemed unaware of exactly what was happening.

Music could still be heard over the loudspeakers and cheerleaders continued their routines. The game was played as normal.

American University issued a statement Oct. 18, saying it was “heartbroken” in response to what occurred.

They added that during the game, representatives of both participating member institutions, Alamodome management and local authorities met with American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti and a working group to review the information available and discuss next steps.

The statement claimed that at the time of those discussions, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs had not publicly confirmed the service member’s condition.

“Air Force casualty notification and information-release procedures establish safeguards for notifying families and publicly releasing casualty information,” the statement reads. “In accordance with conference bylaws and with the support of both participating member institutions, the conference made the decision to continue the game.

“Respect for the family’s privacy and adherence to the military’s notification process guided the decision to mitigate speculation about the service member’s medical status and avoid additional distress for his family.”

UTSA Honors Patterson

UTSA issued a statement on Saturday in the aftermath of the incident.

“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s football game,” the post on X reads. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues.

“We recognize that members of our campus community may be emotionally affected by this incident and are activating wellbeing services to support our faculty, staff and students.

On Sunday, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said the community’s “hearts are heavy.”

“What was intended to be a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration has been marked by profound sadness. … We come together to support our teams, to celebrate shared traditions and to experience the bonds of community,” Eighmy said. “But above all, we come together for one another. In moments of profound sadness, those bonds take on an even deeper meaning.

“We are reminded that our greatest responsibility is to treat one another with compassion, dignity and the highest degree of respect, and to offer care and support when it is needed most.”

The UTSA X account said that the university’s Monuments and Student Union Tower lights will display the solemn white candle this week in reflection of the tragedy.