What was supposed to be a competitive quarterfinal game at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Field Hockey Tournament turned into a health crisis for the University of California, Berkely’s field hockey team, after a food poisoning outbreak reportedly caused more than half the roster to become severely ill hours before their game against Duke University.
On Nov. 4 at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, players and staff members reportedly experience intense symptoms, with some athletes requiring emergency medical attention in the middle of the night before the game.
Despite the outbreak, Berkely still took the field against Duke. Fatigued and short of healthy players, they were overwhelmed and ultimately fell 7-1, ending their run in the ACC Tournament for the 2025 season.
Videos and posts circulating on social media showed fans reacting to the situation and calling attention to the team’s state of well-being. One viral post by user Elizabeth Edmonston, described how Berkely had to play through food poisoning with more than 15 players and staff sick, while Duke’s win came under unexpected circumstances.
The source of the food poisoning has not yet been confirmed. Tournament officials and Trager Stadium staff have not issued public statements about the incident or the food arrangements for the visiting teams. It remains unclear if the outbreak was linked to a specific meal, restaurant or hotel catering service.
However, the illness raised concerns about players’ safety and health protocols during major collegiate tournaments that involve expensive travel. Teams often rely on provided meals during championship events and an upset in food safety can have major consequences for athletes performance and well-being.
Despite the setbacks, Berkely players took the field, with several players reportedly pushing through symptoms to compete. Throughout the game, trashcans were lined up in case of an athlete feeling the need to be sick during the game. Duke advanced to the semifinals of the ACC tournament following the win and.
Berkely’s coaching staff and university officials were said to be monitoring the recovery of the affected players. Further updates are expected once medical evaluations are complete and the source of the contamination is identified.
The incident has sparked wider discussions within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) about food safety concerns, travel nutrition and emergency protocols for student athletes competing far from their home campus.
