"Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes," James Madison University president Jonathan No cause of death was provided and calls But there was an overwhelming number that just didnt feel like they could play and be competitive, said Bourne, adding that he feels coach Loren LaPorte made the right decision. Lauren was a sophomore biology major from McDonald, Pennsylvania, a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU. Lauren Bernett, a standout on James Madisons softball team who helped the Dukes reach the semifinals of the Womens College World Series last year, has died, She was a staple of our program who we all loved so much. Sterling, John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) The death of a James Madison softball star has been classified as an apparent suicide. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. Sullivan, Reed JAMES Madison University softball star Lauren Bernett has died just hours after being named the conference player of the week. She had dreams of becoming a veterinarian and was trusted by animals in the same way she was trusted by the people in her life. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced on Tuesday. Lauren Bernett's JMU teammates post tributes after her death 1:47. Her death was later classified as an apparent suicide by Rockingham County Sheriffs Office; however, authorities say her death is still under investigation. Landsowne, Sugarland Run, Family Of Slain UVA Lacrosse Player Yeardley Love To Get $15M From Her Killer: Report, Person Hospitalized After Fight Breaks Out In Alexandria Neighborhood: Police, 'Lock Me Up': Man Assaults Deputies Escorting Him Out Of Baltimore Court, Report Says, Are You Running A Local Business? But I think any research you read out there will talk about how there was already a dangerous and scary increase in mental health challenges of young people that was exacerbated by the pandemic.. Former professional rugby player Pedrie Wannenburg has died in a car accident during a police chase in Houston, Texas. Broadlands, Butler, Hannah Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Wannenburg played for the South African Bulls from 2002 to 2010, winning three Super Rugby titles and five Currie Cups. Another ragged offensive night doomed No. As Bourne mentioned Monday, she was named Colonial Athletic Association player of the week on the same day as her passing. She struggled with balancing "athletics, academics and the demands of every day life" that "overwhelmed her in a single, desperate moment, according to a family statement. View Full Bio, Hannah James Madison University softball star Lauren Bernett dies of apparent suicide at 20 The catcher and cleanup hitter for the Dukes was a high-achieving member "We love you, Lauren ," the JMU Softball team tweeted. But beyond that as someone outside of the team JMU vice president for student affairs Tim Miller said in Mondays news conference that Lauren touched so many different people. The Blue Bulls expressed their condolences over the fallen teammate. The Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday that James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett died by suicide, per USA Today . WebThe official 2021 Softball Roster for the James Madison University Dukes. Stanford soccer goalkeeper Katie Meyer died on March 1, leaving mother Gina Meyer to wonder if the combined pressure of school and sports was too much. The Colonial Athletic Association on Monday named Bernett the conference's player of the week. Herzig, Libby Fly high Lauren, your JMU Softball family will forever love you.". She was 20 years old. Jubas, Meredith Hartman. The James Madison softball team was the first Virginia team to make the Womens College World Series in 13 years. There was a problem saving your notification. And its cause for the university to continue to evaluate the mental health resources it offers, around what was already a concerning issue. RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) James Madison University announced the sudden death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett Tuesday. And throughout our entire athletics program.. Apted, Kevin Gordon, Madison 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. Bernett is survived by her parents, Scott and Kim, and two brothers and two sisters. Virginia State Police has identified the pilot who was killed in a plane crash in Carroll County. South Riding, James Madison University has announced the death of softball athlete Lauren Bernett one of the key players of the 2021 Womens College World Series. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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Hale, Christian The Dukes won their first two games in Oklahoma City before bowing out to perennial power house, and eventual champion, Oklahoma. Bowman, Wayne 2023 James Madison University Athletics. Fired RPS employee sues school district, alleges misuse of federal funds. Alexander, Sara WebJames Madison University student-athlete Lauren Bernett has died, the university announced on Tuesday. According to the Daily News-Record, a JMU student committed suicide in the Edith J. Watch Now: Related Video Tiger Woods slams LIV golfers who 'turned their back' on the sport and Little York Rd., according to a statement from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. In the Dukes' April 16 game against the College of Charleston, Bernett recorded three hits and seven RBIs, a JMU record. Bernett was from McDonald, Pennsylvania, and majored in biology, according to her bio on the JMU website. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. She was 20 years old. James Madison Softball Coaching Staff releases statement on death of Lauren Bernett The 20-year-old star passed away on Tuesday JMU softball player "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. Fifty-eight-year-old Terry Michel, the owner who confessed to killing his two dogs, is set to make his first court appearance in the Franklin County General District Court on Wednesday. ames Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced on Tuesday. We again want to thank everyone for their caring thoughts and support during this time and we continue to ask for privacy as a program as we grieve and support one another. Carter, Terrence In a statement to NBC News, Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson said, Yes, we are conducting a death investigation at this time, adding, It is not a criminal investigation as no foul play is suspected.. Wannenburg was traveling with his wife Evette and their daughter Isabelle and son Pedrie Jr. at the time of the accident. Alabadi was later arrested on charges of felony murder, reckless aggravated assault serious bodily injury, and aggravated assault bodily injury with deadly weapon, HCSO announced. Since graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual major in journalism and photography, he got his professional start at OUT Magazine, The Advocate and Teen Vogue, and he's since consistently kept his finger on the pulse of the LGBTQ community. Father and son were transported to a nearby hospital, where Pedrie Sr. was pronounced dead about an hour later and Pedrie Jr., 8, is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, per KTRK-TV. Not just from a student-athlete standpoint, but as an individual.. Stateside, he was the team captain for Denver Stampede before playing for Austin Elite, which he later coached. She was 20. A doubleheader against Longwood University that had been scheduled for Wednesday has beencanceled. Bernett, 20, was Captured o, Twice this season Virginia has traveled to confront an opponent whose NCAA tournament expectations were on life support. Hall, Emily We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke, Tuesday's letter stated. Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. Johnson, Lauren We will miss her dearly. There will be a permanent void in our hearts and our hope is to live out her legacy and make her proud each and every day. Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. Lauren Bernett during the UCF Knights Classic softball tournament in Orlando last February. We will miss her dearly.". James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett's death classified as a suicide, per report Bernett, who died at 20, helped the Dukes reach the 2021 Glenn Garner is a Writer/Reporter who works heavily with PEOPLE's Movies and TV verticals. - Cause of death JMU Athletics put Theres been growing mental health concerns over the past decade, Miller said, but that has grown exponentially over the past couple of years in the midst of the pandemic. There are no statistics available for this player. Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021. 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Her tragic death comes after being named the conference player of the week, following a stretch of impressive performances. Meeks, Michelle A week later, in a series against Drexel on April 23, she recorded hits in seven of her nine at-bats. "There was no way I was leaving (Treveon Graham and Briante Weber)," Smart said as he reflected on his VCU exit during Doug Gottlieb's podcast. The team finishes the year 21-21 overall. April 26, 2022 / 3:21 PM / CBS Pittsburgh. As a freshman last year, Bernett, of McDonald, Pennsylvania, started 43 games as the Dukes went 41-4 and advanced to the Women's College World Series for the first time in school history. White, Mackenzie Newton, Hallie The school did not provide details about the cause or circumstances of the 20-year-olds death. 2023 James Madison University Athletics, Assistant Director (men's soccer, softball, medical & exhausted eligibility), Hide/Show Additional Information For Hannah Shifflett, Hide/Show Additional Information For Odicci Alexander, Hide/Show Additional Information For Sara Jubas, Hide/Show Additional Information For Meredith Wells, Hide/Show Additional Information For Isabella "Bella" Smith, Hide/Show Additional Information For Madison Storey, Hide/Show Additional Information For Logan Newton, Hide/Show Additional Information For Hallie Hall, Hide/Show Additional Information For Emily Phillips, Hide/Show Additional Information For Kate Gordon, Hide/Show Additional Information For Madison Naujokas, Hide/Show Additional Information For Alexis Bermudez, Hide/Show Additional Information For Alissa Humphrey, Hide/Show Additional Information For Lauren Bernett, Hide/Show Additional Information For Kylie Thress, Hide/Show Additional Information For Lynsey Meeks, Hide/Show Additional Information For Michelle Sullivan, Hide/Show Additional Information For Reed Butler, Hide/Show Additional Information For Hannah Hennessy, Hide/Show Additional Information For Grace Lutz, Hide/Show Additional Information For Kayla Boseman. The Dukes are 21-21 this year and last played on Sunday, beating Drexel, 11-4, in Philadelphia. Not just from a student-athlete standpoint, but as an individual. Bernett, a JMU sophomore, died on April 25 at age 20. The official 2021 Softball Roster for the James Madison University Dukes Skip To Main Lauren Sophomore college softball star Lauren Bernett dies: A great ambassador Bernett was a catcher with James Madison University's softball team and had received If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. Lauren Bernett, the star softball player at James Madison University whose death at age 20 was announced earlier this week, died of an apparent suicide, I think that, as Ive been with the team a lot over the last week or so, to see teammates with stories about what Lauren meant to them, coaches talking about how Lauren impacted their lives, that I guess I would say since I have the platform, this is a moment for everyone to realize that their life has value and makes a difference in other peoples lives, Miller said. Her smile and laugh were radiant - lighting up every room, bullpen or dugout she walked into and making everyone around her instantly smile. He was 41. 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According to her player bio, she was majoring in Biology and minoring in Pre-Vet. Had a season-high of 18 putouts against Liberty (5/21), Went 2-for-4 with one RBI in the Columbia Super Regional Finals (5/30), Recorded three home runs, one at the Knoxville Regional in the championships game against Liberty (5/23), Recorded a season-high of three hits against George Washington (2/27), Named CAA Rookie of the Week (3/2) after recording four hits, two being doubles in JMU's opening weekend at the Cavalier Classic, JMU Athletics Director's Scholar-Athlete (Fall 2020, Spring 2021), CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (Fall 2020, Spring 2021), TCS East Coast Summer Nationals Runner-Up in 2018, Played travel ball for Team Pennsylvania Fastpitch played 18u since her freshman year, Mother played softball at Washington and Jefferson College, Plans on majoring in Biology with a minor in Pre-Vet. However, we want others to know the impact Lauren had on each of our lives, and each member of not only our softball family but the entire JMU community. Wisconsin runner Sarah Shulze died on April 13. James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett is believed to have died by suicide, authorities said Wednesday. One is too many, Miller said. And he said a group was created this past fall semester to examine suicide on campus. James Madison softball standout Lauren Burnett has died, the university announced Tuesday. What makes the Justices so elite? Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. "Pedrie was a fun-loving and hard-working man and someone who gave all he had on the pitch, but afterwards always had a smile on his face," he said in a statement. Tied the single game RBI record against College of Charleston with seven(4/16). "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes," James Madison University president Jonathan Alger and athletic directorJeff Bourne said in a combined statement. "Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program.". The JMU softball program, before Mondays announcement of the cancellation of the final four games, had already canceled five games before that. The HCSO said in a news release that 16-year-old Ali Alabadi fled the checkpoint, causing an accident involving four other vehicles. Bernett, on the field, started throughout her freshman year, including during the Dukes run to their first-ever WCWS last spring. Are You Running A Local Business? He said her family asked that any gifts or contributions be made to James Madison, in the name of laurenbernett.com. Renkin, Pete "We are a tight family. Bernett was a catcher with James Madison University's softball team and had received a player of the week honor on Monday. The universityannounced the athlete's death on Tuesday; however, a cause of death was not provided. "To lose someone at the cusp of the rest of his life with a young family, after a long and storied rugby career is extremely sad and our thoughts are with his wife, Evette, their two children, Isabelle and Francois, as well as his parents and other family members, loved ones and friends during this very difficult time," Alexander added. HARRISONBURG, Va. The James Madison Softball Coaching Staff has released a statement following a tragic loss in the JMU community. The James Madison University community is mourning the loss of JMU softball player Lauren Bernett. 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