Back when I worked for a university, I was the Faculty-Staff Adviser to my own sorority. One of my roles was signing off on the events being held on campus. The chapter came to me to ask me to sign-off on their philanthropy event which was a CrossFit challenge. Back then, CrossFit was a big deal/fad and the member described that the fraternities would be competing in CrossFit-type exercises out on one of the recreation fields.
I immediately considered the safety aspects - that was the first thing that came to mind when she presented the event forms. I didn't want a bunch of guys doing hard exercises and getting injured. I recall asking a number of questions about the safety procedures. She told me about the first aid plan they had in place and that certain people were designated as safety monitors, etc. I remember telling her that, if it rains or the grass is dewy outside, I was worried about people trying to do box jumps, slipping, and getting hurt. She told me about their weather contingency plan. I expressed concern about what would happen if it got too rowdy and "hazing" like ("forcing" people to do burpees with weight vests or something). She shared their plans for how the event would remain above-the-board. I felt good enough about it to approve it and, thankfully, no one got injured.
That said, I was not required to be there. So, if it had turned into some bizarre hazing obstacle course, I could have been called onto the carpet.
I'm a Fire Captain now and various charity groups occasionally hold "Guns and Hoses" or "Battle of the Badges" charity boxing events for fire and police. These are sponsored/monitored by actual boxing organizations and the match referees and judges are real, certified people. One of the girls I went to academy with participated and won her event. One of our co-workers is an actual boxer and national-certified boxing coach. So, he trained her for about three months before the event. She, and the others from my agency boxing in other categorizes, all did group training together with "coach" every week. They all participated safely.
Accidents can happen, sure; but, this fraternity event was billed as a "mixed martial arts" match.
It also says that the "referee" was seen drinking. It sounds like they were sort of winging it and not doing a proper charity boxing match. That's odd to me because usually after 10 years of running, events start to become more "professionally done" in scope. How sad for the young man who died.
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