The University of Notre Dame announced on Tuesday that remote-controlled cameras will now replace their old system of hydraulic lifts for videographers to film football plactices.
Five months ago, 20-year-old Declan Sullivan, a student at Notre Dame, was killed when one of the lifts fell over.
Notre Dame president, Rev. John Jenkins, says this new system fulfills a pledge made after Sullivan’s death, according to ESPN.com.
“I said in the days after Declan’s death that we would do everything in our power to make changes to ensure that such an accident does not happen again — here or elsewhere,” Jenkins said.
The investigation led by the Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administration is still open as to what caused the lift holding Sullivan to fall as his filmed on Oct. 27. At the time, the National Weather Service was reporting gusts of wind up to 51 mph. A review is also taking place on whether Sullivan received proper training before operating the lift.
The new remote-controlled system will have four cameras mounted on 50-foot poles operated via control room across the street in the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, where the football offices are housed. The construction on the project began on Tuesday.
Jenkins has publicly announced that the university has taken full responsibility for Sullivan’s death and they are in talks with the Sullivan family about a memorial.
“We are committed to memorializing Declan’s zest for life and presence at Notre Dame in a meaningful and lasting way,” Jenkins said.
Each side of the boxes that contain the new cameras is emblazoned with a shamrock with the initials “DS” in the middle to honor Sullivan. The same emblem was worn by the players on their helmets in the games following Sullivan’s death.
The new cameras are expected to be operational by the start of spring practice on March 23.
