VMI Cadet Rescues The Citadel Administrator: Renders Aid to Rival Fan

When it comes to school rivalries, the one between VMI and The Citadel is among the most historic and intense. The Military Classic of the South, the annual football game between the two senior military colleges, is their biggest competition, with the winner taking home the coveted Silver Shako trophy. This academic year, the game was held in early November 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina, and it was there that Cadet Dusand Barrow ’28, a VMI emergency medical technician, set aside his team partiality to aid a The Citadel fan in distress.

For all away NCAA events, VMI Emergency Medical Services sends a small contingent of cadet EMTs to provide emergency response services for cadet spectators in need. Originally, Barrow did not intend to attend the football game at The Citadel, but the cadet assigned to go wanted to spend his birthday weekend with his family. So, Barrow volunteered to fill in, and, along with three other VMI EMTs and Donnie McBrayer, EMS advisor, found himself on the bus to Charleston on game day.

Upon arriving at Johnson Hagood Stadium at The Citadel, Barrow prepared to march in with the other corporals but was alerted that McBrayer needed his help with a patient. He sprinted to McBrayer, who was aiding an older gentleman who had fallen and was bleeding.

“We treated him, cleaned him up, and sent him to the hospital in an ambulance,” recalled Barrow. “After that, I went under the stand area to buy a snack. A group of people high up in the stands saw me, ran down the stairs, and asked if I was an EMT. One of their friends had passed out and needed care. I climbed the stairs with them to their friend, who was fully unconscious. I treated her for about 5 minutes until the EMTs The Citadel had hired for the game arrived.

“By that time, the patient was awake but still a bit groggy. I grabbed their equipment and monitored her vital signs. The other EMTs talked to her and got more information. She had a history of high blood pressure and became overheated in the South Carolina sun. She declined to go to the hospital, so I gave her some water and told her, ‘If anything else happens, please feel free to grab me or somebody who’s in a blue shirt like me, or call one of the other EMTs.’”

It was then the patient and her friends realized that Barrow was a VMI cadet and were impressed he had come to the home team side of the stadium willingly and without any reservation to render aid. “I told them this is my job, it is how I was trained, and what’s expected of me. They told me if I ever think of switching from VMI to The Citadel, they can help. I told them, ‘No, no, I’m very happy at VMI,’” laughed Barrow.

The group asked Barrow for his name so they could send a recommendation to Col. Ley Havird ’90, VMI commandant. Though Barrow did not expect to receive anything for what he considered a normal service call, a couple of days later, he received an email from the group of The Citadel friends.

“It turns out they are all faculty members at The Citadel. So that entire group sent an email to our advisor, and to our commandant, who awarded me an optional—an authorized excuse from supper roll call. Then I got another email saying our superintendent wanted to meet with me in his office.”

It was there that Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, superintendent, presented Barrow with two challenge coins: One from himself and one from the president of The Citadel. Furness also presented Barrow with a letter of commendation.

According to McBrayer, VMI EMS is a Virginia Department of EMS non-transport agency that runs 911 emergency services on VMI property. “It provides coverage for any cadet-related function that needs EMS support, such as rat activities, parades, NCAA events, and ROTC exercises. VMI has 58 EMTs. Barrow is very competent when working with medical patients. He is constantly striving to learn more when it comes to training as an EMT.”

Barrow is originally from the South American country of Guyana, but now calls Norfolk, Virginia, home. He is majoring in biology and is the cadet in charge of VMI’s firefighting club. He volunteers as a firefighter for the Lexington Fire Department. Being a first responder is extremely important to Barrow, and the EMT and firefighting training, along with the practical opportunities offered at VMI, are among the reasons he chose to become a cadet. He is also involved with the climbing team, VMI Theatre, Officers’ Christian Fellowship, and works at the Corps Physical Training Facility. Following graduation, he plans to enlist in the Army Reserve and become a professional EMT or firefighter.