SHELBYVILLE — An annual softball tournament is returning this summer that celebrates the life of a Fortville man while raising funds for lifesaving equipment.
Brian Goff, 53, an avid softball player and Fortville resident, was playing in a tournament near Cincinnati in September 2015 when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the field. He later died at a nearby hospital.
The sporting complex did not have an automated external defibrillator, or AED, said Kay Burdine, Goff’s sister and a Greenfield resident. Members of the public, even those with no medical training, can use the portable device to reestablish a heart’s normal rhythm following cardiac arrest.
“We don’t know if it would’ve made a difference or not, but if it would’ve been there, it would’ve been nice,” Burdine said.
Goff’s wife, children and siblings founded Brian’s Heart, Inc., a nonprofit organization that purchases AEDs for local groups.
“What happened to Brian — if we can prevent that from happening to someone else, obviously that’s what we want to do, by providing an AED,” Burdine said.
She said the organization has bought more than 40 AEDs since its inception that have gone to recipients including churches, nonprofit organizations, sports fields and schools.
“Anybody pretty much that wants one, we try to get them one,” she said.
Many people seem to be intimidated by the devices, Burdine said, but modern ones are very user friendly.
“I think people are afraid of them, but there’s nothing to be afraid of because it walks you right through how to use it,” she said. “They’re available, it’s easy to use and we want people to be able to use them to hopefully save a life.”
Brad Goff remembers his brother Brian as a soft-spoken sports fan who loved to spend time with his wife, kids and family.
“He was just a fun-loving guy,” he said. “Just enjoyed life and enjoyed working and his family and all the things that make you happy in life.”
The Brian’s Heart 5th Annual Softball Tournament is Saturday, Aug. 8 at Blue River Memorial Park, 725 Lee Boulevard, Shelbyville. Burdine said the event usually starts around 8 a.m. and is done by 7 p.m. It will consist of a double-elimination open tournament and a 45-and-older tournament. There will be a home run derby as well.
Registration is $250 per team. To sign up, contact Brad Goff at 317-557-6907 or [email protected].
Organizers will be taking orders for Brian’s Heart T-shirts at the tournament as well.
Turnout has been good throughout the tournament’s history, Burdine said, adding it draws about seven to eight teams each year.
“Which has been really great,” she said. “We’re trying to grow that.”
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WHAT: Brian’s Heart 5th Annual Softball Tournament
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 8
WHERE: Blue River Memorial Park, 725 Lee Boulevard, Shelbyville
REGISTRATION: $250 per team; contact Brad Goff at 317-557-6907 or [email protected]
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