FORT WORTH, February 24, 2026 — In the wake of an unimaginable loss, a youth sports organization in Aledo has turned heartbreak into purpose. After beloved coach Cole Thompson suffered a cardiac emergency on the field and passed away, leaving behind his wife Niki and their two children, Aledo Athletics, Inc. (AAI) made a commitment. They chose preparation and training so that more families in their community go home together after a cardiac emergency, a commitment that now stands as a core part of Cole’s legacy.
Over the past year, AAI has collaborated with the American Heart Association in Tarrant County to strengthen cardiac emergency readiness across its baseball complex. The AAI complex welcomes thousands each year for youth baseball and softball games, including hosting tournaments for visiting teams from across Texas.
The league ensured more than 100 coaches, parents, assistants, and board members knew how to save a life with Hands‑Only CPR, added two new automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and implemented a comprehensive Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) with the American Heart Association, which includes signs that are posted throughout the fields so volunteers and families know exactly what to do when seconds matter.
These efforts reflect AAI’s commitment to joining the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers, a movement to ensure more people are prepared to act during cardiac emergencies. Each year in the United States, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital, and immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
“Losing Cole shattered our world, but the love this community has poured into our family has helped us keep going,” said Niki Thompson, wife of Coach Cole Thompson. “Aledo Athletics was his second home, and the people here were his family. Doctors assured me there was nothing more that could have been done for Cole, but we now know that in many cases quick action can save people. Seeing coaches equipped with lifesaving skills and an emergency plan gives me comfort. It means Cole’s legacy is protecting the community he loved so much, including our boys who still take the field here.”
“Cole was more than a coach to us, he was our brother. When we lost him, we promised to honor him in a way that truly mattered. Naming a field after him was just the beginning. You never think things like this happen to your loved ones. Knowing we are prepared is another step in building his legacy,” said Chris Kaufman, Aledo Athletics Inc VP of Baseball and Director of Facilities.
The American Heart Association applauds AAI’s leadership and hopes their example encourages other youth sports organizations to act before an emergency occurs. In Tarrant County, the Association is already collaborating with the Mid‑Cities Pee Wee Football and Cheerleading Association (MCPWFCA) as part of expanding the Nation of Lifesavers throughout North Texas. MCPWFCA has worked to implement a CERP and offer Hands‑Only CPR education for its league that serves thousands of families across Hurst, Euless, Bedford, and surrounding areas, including flag football, tackle football, and cheer. The Association is helping the league get resources in place, like AEDs that are accessible for players and coaches.
How to help and get involved: Organizations that want to support lifesaving readiness can collaborate with the American Heart Association to expand CERPs, Hands‑Only CPR education, and preparedness efforts across youth sports in the Dallas – Fort Worth Area. The Association’s support for Aledo Athletics, Inc. was made possible in part by the WB and Ellen Gordon Stuart Trust Foundation, and TTI, Inc. is helping support the work at Mid‑Cities Pee Wee Football and Cheerleading Association. To learn how your organization can join the Nation of Lifesavers, contact Jenny Eyer, VP, Community Impact, American Heart Association in North Texas, at Jenny.Eyer@heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Lindsey Lyons Jones
Phone: 214-441-4114
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
