It was a startling scene: three nurses rushed in, and one long term friend was down on the court. Quick to take action and staying alongside the fallen basketball referee, Joe Gaskin, Wantagh’s athletic director, Ms. Keane, reassured him that everything would be okay.
During a basketball game at Farmingdale State College on March 8, 2025, referee Joe Gaskin collapsed within four minutes of the game due to an apparent heart attack, frightening the whole crowd. Action needed to be quickly taken, and that is when Wantagh High School’s Athletic Director, Jennifer Keane, a friend of Joe, stepped in. With quick thinking, Ms. Keane brought an AED to the scene along with three nurses, administered the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) during CPR, a heroic move that saved Joe Gaskin’s life. It is very important to take action as soon as possible, and thankfully that was the case for Joe Gaskin. “By the time Joe went down and was in the ambulance and was off to the hospital it was under ten minutes, which is pretty amazing,” says Jennifer Keane, reflecting on the quick emergency reaction response. In honor of Ms. Keane’s heroic actions, an extra AED was donated to Wantagh High School!
Congratulations Mrs. Keane for your outstanding achievement and brave efforts and best wishes to Joe Gaskin.