The Shallowater, Texas community is rallying together in support of Mustang boys basketball coach Jay Lusk and his family after they were injured in a crash while traveling through Central Texas on Friday night.
According to Shallowater Independent School District officials, Lusk, his wife, and their son were involved in a vehicle accident near Eden, Texas, while returning home from San Antonio. Emergency responders transported the family to a hospital in San Angelo for medical treatment following the crash. School officials confirmed that all three are safe and are expected to make a full recovery. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident was also injured but is likewise expected to recover.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, Shallowater ISD acknowledged the incident and asked the community to keep Lusk and his family in their thoughts and prayers during their recovery.
“Shallowater ISD’s Mustang basketball coach, Jay Lusk, was in a car accident with his wife and son heading home from San Antonio yesterday,” the district said in its statement. “All three are safe and expected to make a full recovery. The driver of the other vehicle is also expected to recover.”
The district noted that the incident has been an emotional experience for members of the Mustang basketball team and coaching staff, particularly as they prepared to compete in the Regional Championship game. Despite the circumstances, school leaders praised the team for their resilience and determination during a difficult moment.
“As you can imagine, this has been an emotional several hours for our players and coaching staff as they prepare for today’s Regional Championship game,” the district said. “We are incredibly proud of the resilience they continue to show.”
Shallowater ISD also asked the community to remember others affected by the crash, specifically mentioning the Paris family in their message. While officials did not release further details about the incident out of respect for the families involved, they emphasized the importance of community support during the situation.
The district expressed appreciation for the widespread encouragement and assistance received from schools across Texas, as well as from the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and communities throughout West Texas. School officials also extended thanks to the community of Brownfield for their compassion and support during a challenging time.
“Thank you for your kindness today as we all recognize that some things matter far more than what happens on the court,” the statement said.
As news of the crash spread, messages of support quickly poured in from students, parents, alumni, and fellow coaches across the region. Coach Jay Lusk is widely respected in the Shallowater community, not only for his leadership on the basketball court but also for his mentorship and dedication to student-athletes.
While the focus remains on recovery, school officials indicated that additional information about ways the community can support the families involved may be shared in the coming days.
For now, the Shallowater community continues to stand behind Coach Lusk, his family, and the Mustang basketball team, offering prayers and encouragement as they move forward following the frightening incident.
