Ridge Barden
/ Yearbook photo
FULTON, OSWEGO COUNTY -- Hundreds of people attended calling hours for Ridge Barden on Wednesday afternoon at the Foster Funeral Home in Fulton.
Barden was a junior at John C. Birdlebough High School in Phoenix and a lineman for the varsity football team. He died after being hurt in a game Friday night.
Neighbors, friends and family formed a long line around the funeral home starting at 4pm. Barden's teammates wore their football uniforms and many people came in Phoenix school colors or with orange and black ribbons. Athletes and coaches from across Central New York also attended the calling hours. Teams and players from Solvay, Marcellus, Central Square and Homer came in uniform.
The Funeral is scheduled for Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at the Prince Of Peace Lutheran Church, 64 Gillespie Road in Fulton.
Benefit in memory of Ridge Barden is planned for November 19. According to the Facebook page, the benefit will go towards his family to help them through this tough time.
The benefit is scheduled for November 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m at Baldwinsville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 153 at 50 Salina Street in Baldwinsville.
On Sunday, the Cortland County coroner said Barden's death was due to a 'massive subdural hematoma' caused by the helmet to helmet contact at Friday nights Phoenix-Homer game. The death has been ruled accidental.
Coroner Kevin Sharp said there does not appear to be a pre-existing condition, though the investigation continues.
