James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett during a NCAA softball game on Friday, May 28, 2021 in Columbia, Mo. Her huge heart showed grade and kindness to everyone she ever met. JMU President Jonathan Alger and Athletic Director Jeff Bourne announced the death of the 20-year-old sophomore catcher from Pennsylvania in a news release. (Kendall Warner/The News & Advance via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. James Madison (21-21, 10-5 CAA) was one game behind Delaware for the top spot in the league before Bernett's death. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Her smile and laugh were radiant - lighting up every room, bullpen or dugout she walked into and making everyone around her instantly smile. Here's why. This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly, JMU coach Loren LaPorte said in a news release of the cancellation. 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, according to authorities in Virginia. Most importantly, were thinking about our graduating seniors whose careers have come to an abrupt conclusion. WebApril 27, 2022 / 5:56 PM / AP HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) The death of a James Madison softball star has been classified as an apparent suicide, but Rockingham County Sheriff The school announced her death Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Laurens memory while finishing the academic semester strong. 9 ECU in shutout fashion, 9-0, Durham Fire Department trainees, 45-year-old recruit, Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces hes, Fry for free: NC hotel in ocean-holding fundraiser, 3 Nash County teens busted for 30 vehicle break-ins, Wolfpack running backs ready to carry heavier loads, Galloway, Hall lead Clemson past NC State 96-71, Wake County Sheriffs Office investigates NC State, Joiner, Burns combine for 50, NC State tops Wake, Winner of baby race at Duke-UNC game halftime could, Roach has 19 with 10 assists, Duke beats Virginia, Duke University approves nearly 5 percent tuition, UNC wins 3rd straight with key 77-66 victory over, ESPN College GameDay coming to Chapel Hill for, Nance powers UNC-Chapel Hill over No. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. The James Madison softball team has canceled the rest of its season after sophomore catcher Lauren Bernetts death. JMU canceled a doubleheader against Longwood on Wednesday. "The official report from the medical examiner's office is pending, and out of respect for her family and friends, there is no other information to release at this time," Hutcheson said in an email. . Newsfeed Now: Biden unveils $1.75 trillion spending, Newsfeed Now: Democrats push to wrap up negotiations, Newsfeed Now: FDA panel backs Pfizers low-dose COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Industry peers angry over deadly movie, Newsfeed Now: Infrastructure Bill drawing toward, Newsfeed Now: FBI IDs remains of Brian Laundrie;, Newsfeed Now: FBI finds remains at Florida reserve, Newsfeed Now: School official under fire for Holocaust, Newsfeed Now: Gabby Petitos family wants vengeance, Newsfeed Now: Family says Gen. 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WebU.S. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)AP. This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly, JMU coach Loren LaPorte said in a news release of the cancellation. All Rights Reserved. WebStar James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett, who helped the school in its historic run to the Women's College World Series, died of apparent suicide, More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, Tennessee softball players wear purple ribbons in their hair during a game against Liberty at Liberty Softball Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 to honor James Madison University softball sophomore catcher Lauren Bernett who recently died. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett during a NCAA softball game on Friday, May 28, 2021 in Columbia, Mo. The JMU family is devastated to have lost one of our own.All our love and support are with Laurens family, her @JMUSoftball community and all those who knew her. | https://t.co/TbZJT55w0a pic.twitter.com/v30oHMOyZO. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. Please enter valid email address to continue. The statement, however, pointed readers to text and phone contacts for people in crisis. HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) James Madison has canceled the remainder of its softball season as the school tries to cope with the suicide of one of its star players last week. James Madison University is canceling the rest of its softball season in the wake of the death of star player Lauren Bernett. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. We will miss her dearly. The JMU softball team has canceled the rest of its season following the death of Bernett, 20, on April 25, 2022. If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. As a freshman, she was one of the heroes of the underdog JMU team that advanced to the Womens College World Series semifinal. One month has passed since Bernett, a sophomore catcher on the JMU softball team, died by suicide at 20. Best Buy, Fable and DAVIDsTEA, to name a few. Lauren Bernett, a star catcher for Americas James Madison University (JMU) softball team, has died, the school announced on Tuesday. Access all of our expanded, online-only, subscriber exclusive opinion writing. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Bernett, 20, from McDonald, in western Pa., died by suicide on Monday, April 25. We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. Girls high school basketball team forfeits a game because it refused to play against a team with a transgender player, Fox Leaders Wanted to Break From Trump but Struggled to Make It Happen, Not Going to Read That: White House Press Secretary Brushes Off DeSantis Op-Ed, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday, Wake-Up Weather: AM showers then mild and breezy, Celebrating Steve: Karlin Covers Dance night at Lake Robbins Ballroom, Jussie Smollett files appeal argument in hate crime hoax conviction. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. The James Madison University is mourning the loss of JMU softball player Lauren Bernett. Bernetts death came roughly a month after Stanford soccer captain Katie Meyer died by suicide months before graduation. WebHARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) James Madison has canceled the remainder of its softball season as the school tries to cope with the suicide of one of its star players last week. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Laurens memory while finishing the academic semester strong., LaPorte said the school recognizes the decision brings an abrupt end to the careers of seniors on the team, and we will make sure that they are honored for the commitment and dedication they have made as student-athletes.. 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. Reuters. We have enabled email notificationsyou will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Medical Examiner for the Western District of Virginia ruled the death a suicide. Lauren Bernett, a sophomore catcher and cleanup hitter for the Dukes, died April 25 following a stellar weekend series against Drexel, for which she was named the Colonial Athletic Associations player of the week. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. April 26 - James Madison University catcher Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced Tuesday. WebJMU Cancels Rest of Softball Season After Player's Suicide James Madison has canceled the remainder of its softball season as the school tries to cope with the suicide of one of Part of HuffPost News. Visitation is scheduled 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 10, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. On April 16, she tied a single-game JMU record with seven RBIs in a win against College of Charleston. news 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 Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program," Alger and Bourne said in the joint statement. The school announced that Bernett, 20, who was a sophomore catcher and power hitter for the team, had died last Tuesday. The school did not provide a cause of death. JMU coach Loren LaPorte announced the decision to cancel the season on Monday. 2022 The Associated Press. She was a staple of our program who we all loved so much. The second-year student was 20-years-old. (Colin E. Braley/AP). Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.. The cancellations include a May 3 game against Virginia and a three-game league series May 6-7 against Elon. Bernett was a star player at South Fayette High School. We will make sure that they are honored for the commitment and dedication they have made as student-athletes at James Madison University.. In tribute to Bernett, teams including Liberty and Tennessee have worn purple ribbons in their hair during games. The Medical Examiner for the Western District of Virginia ruled the death a suicide. WebHARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) James Madison has canceled the remainder of its softball season as the school tries to cope with the suicide of one of its star players last week. Her funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11. All rights reserved. Lauren had one of the most genuine, old and trusting souls. On April 29, the team had said in a statement, Finding the words to describe what our team is going through right now feels nearly impossible. Our thoughts are with her family; her coaches, teammates and friends; the rest of our department staff and student-athletes; and the entire JMU community. WebThe Rockingham County Sheriffs office in Virginia has said the death is an apparent suicide. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Laurens memory while finishing the academic semester strong.. There will be a permanent void our hearts and our hope is to live out her legacy and make her proud each and every day.. James Madison University softball catcher Lauren Bernett is believed to have died of an apparent suicide, Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson announced Thursday (April 28) via WJLA.com.. Hutcheson confirmed the 20-year-old's death is being classified as such, however, an investigation is ongoing and an official report from the The team had previously already canceled five games. The squads doubleheader against Longwood on Wednesday has been canceled along with a weekend series against Delaware. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Biden announces aggressive new, Newsfeed Now: Biden to launch new plan against COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Health experts concerned about COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Pres. They made headlines there with a 4-3 win against No. International Association for Suicide Prevention. We will make sure that they are honored for the commitment and dedication they have made as student-athletes.. Courtesy of JMU Athletics On Tuesday, Humphrey was the last softball player on the team to leave the flower drop; her cries could be heard across the otherwise hushed VMP. In 2021, she helped the Dukes reach the Womens College World Series for the first time. On Monday, Bernett was named the softball Player of the Week in the Colonial Athletic Conference after batting .788 (7-for-9) with seven RBIs and four runs during a three-game weekend sweep of Drexel. She was 20. The announcement of Bernetts death came a day after she was named the CAA player of the week for batting .778 with seven RBIs and four runs in a three-game weekend sweep of Drexel that pulled JMU within a game of league-leading Delaware. LaPorte added that the team and school would be sure to properly honor the teams seniors whose collegiate careers came to an abrupt end. James Madison (21-21, 10-5 CAA) was one game behind Delaware for the top spot in the league before Bernetts death. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday that Bernett had died by suicide. The following message was sent out to the JMU community and posted on social media Tuesday morning: Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. The series with the Blue Hens, as well as one with Elon, have been declared no contests, with no bearing on the conference standings. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. In tribute to Bernett, teams including Liberty and Tennessee have worn purple ribbons in their hair during games. The Rockingham County Sheriffs Office is in the process of conducting a death investigation into the incident and it is currently classified as an apparent suicide. A broken ankle. The Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia determined the cause of death. Bourne announced the death of Bernett, 20, on April 16, she the! 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