JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ribault High School is struggling to deal with the loss of a 17-year-old honor-roll student who died four days after he was hit in the head with a baseball last week.
Greg Green was pitching at baseball practice Wednesday afternoon when a batter hit the ball which ricocheted off the batting cage and struck Green. He was transported to a hospital, where he died over the weekend.
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Principal James Young told Channel 4 that Green's death impacted not just his fellow students, but also staff. Grief counselors were available at the school Monday for anyone who wanted to talk.
"It's been very, very tough today," Young said. "He was such a great kid, and that's what makes it such a hard day for us."
Flags at the school were at half mast Monday in honor of Green, who was a high-ranking member of the school's Marine Corps JROTC program. The school's cadets will wear their uniforms the rest of the week to help them remember Green.
"He wanted to go to the military and become a lawyer," Green said. "He really wanted to be a JAG officer."
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Young said in addition to his extracurricular activities, Green maintained a 4.0 grade point average.
"He loved ROTC. He loved baseball. He loved Ribault High School," Green said. "He had an opportunity to attend other high schools, and he chose to stay at Ribault to receive his diploma."
Young says Green's family is still working to finalize funeral arrangements.