A service member died after falling during a pregame rappel demonstration before Saturday’s UTSA-Navy football game at the Alamodome, officials confirmed. The man was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, and was taken to a local hospital after the fall, where he later died.
The UTSA-Navy rappel accident happened as part of the university’s annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans game on Oct. 17, 2026, delaying kickoff and casting a somber tone over an American Athletic Conference matchup that UTSA went on to win 38-34.
What Happened During The Pregame Demonstration
Four officers from Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, which operates out of the Chapman Training Annex at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and Camp Bullis, were scheduled to rappel from the Alamodome rafters 15 minutes before kickoff. One officer appeared to lose control while descending, sliding down the line before crashing to the turf.
Medical personnel treated the officer on the field for approximately 10 minutes before he was taken off on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital. Kickoff was delayed 10 minutes as a result.
A statement released after the incident read, “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s game. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues.”
UTSA’s Response To The Tragedy
UTSA activated wellbeing services following the incident to support faculty, staff and students who may have been emotionally affected, according to the university. The announced crowd at the Alamodome for the UTSA-Navy game was 23,297, many of whom witnessed the fall before the opening kickoff.
The game continued after the delay, with UTSA defeating Navy 38-34 in a contest that was quickly overshadowed by what happened in the pregame ceremony, according to Yahoo Sports.
What Remains Unknown
The identity of the service member who died has not been released, nor has his rank or specific role within the squadron. The exact cause of the fall, whether tied to equipment failure, training error or another factor, has not been disclosed. No hospital name, exact time of death or information about a formal investigation has been made public.
What’s Next
Nellis Air Force Base has not released the service member’s identity, rank or the cause of the fall. UTSA, 5-1 overall and 2-0 in American Conference play after the win, continues its season with additional statements possible from the Air Force or the university in the coming days.
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