Utah St. coach has emotional visit with ill player

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah State basketball coach Stew Morrill says his visits with a player who collapsed and nearly died on the court during practice have been emotional, bearable only because Danny Berger is much improved and in "fair'' condition.

Morrill discussed his visit Friday as his team prepared to play its first game since the frightening incident Tuesday when the 22-year-old Berger collapsed during practice. Longtime Utah State assistant athletic trainer Mike Williams is credited with saving Berger's life after he went into cardiac arrest.

Morrill says his own heart ached seeing Berger three straight days at a Salt Lake City-area hospital. He says that when Berger thanked him for making the trip as he regained consciousness, "That one about got me.''