Photo: Colin E. Braley/apThe James Madison University softball team has canceled all remaining games of the 2022 season following the death of star catcher Lauren Bernett, head coach Loren LaPorte announced Monday.“This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly,” LaPorte said in astatement. “We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Lauren’s memory while finishing the academic semester strong.““Most importantly, we’re thinking about our graduating seniors whose careers have come to an abrupt conclusion,” she continued. “We will make sure that they are honored for the commitment and dedication they have made as student-athletes at James Madison University.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Colin E. Braley/apThe team already canceled five games last week while mourning the loss of the star athlete. The JMU Dukes end their season at 21-21 overall and 10-5 in conference play, winning their five final games, the team said.Last week, authorities with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office announced that Bernett’s death has been ruled as an apparent suicide, multiple outlets, including theAssociated PressandNBC Newsreported.“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,” Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson told AP.Bernett’s death was announced April 26 in ajoint statementfrom JMU President Jonathan Alger and Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne.“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program,” read the statement.“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. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.“News of Bernett’s death came just a day after she was namedColonial Athletic Association Player of the Week.If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Photo: Colin E. Braley/ap
The James Madison University softball team has canceled all remaining games of the 2022 season following the death of star catcher Lauren Bernett, head coach Loren LaPorte announced Monday.“This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly,” LaPorte said in astatement. “We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Lauren’s memory while finishing the academic semester strong.““Most importantly, we’re thinking about our graduating seniors whose careers have come to an abrupt conclusion,” she continued. “We will make sure that they are honored for the commitment and dedication they have made as student-athletes at James Madison University.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Colin E. Braley/apThe team already canceled five games last week while mourning the loss of the star athlete. The JMU Dukes end their season at 21-21 overall and 10-5 in conference play, winning their five final games, the team said.Last week, authorities with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office announced that Bernett’s death has been ruled as an apparent suicide, multiple outlets, including theAssociated PressandNBC Newsreported.“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,” Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson told AP.Bernett’s death was announced April 26 in ajoint statementfrom JMU President Jonathan Alger and Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne.“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program,” read the statement.“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. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.“News of Bernett’s death came just a day after she was namedColonial Athletic Association Player of the Week.If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
The James Madison University softball team has canceled all remaining games of the 2022 season following the death of star catcher Lauren Bernett, head coach Loren LaPorte announced Monday.
“This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly,” LaPorte said in astatement. “We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Lauren’s memory while finishing the academic semester strong.”
“Most importantly, we’re thinking about our graduating seniors whose careers have come to an abrupt conclusion,” she continued. “We will make sure that they are honored for the commitment and dedication they have made as student-athletes at James Madison University.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Colin E. Braley/ap
The team already canceled five games last week while mourning the loss of the star athlete. The JMU Dukes end their season at 21-21 overall and 10-5 in conference play, winning their five final games, the team said.
Last week, authorities with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office announced that Bernett’s death has been ruled as an apparent suicide, multiple outlets, including theAssociated PressandNBC Newsreported.
“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,” Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson told AP.
Bernett’s death was announced April 26 in ajoint statementfrom JMU President Jonathan Alger and Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne.
“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program,” read the statement.
“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. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.”
News of Bernett’s death came just a day after she was namedColonial Athletic Association Player of the Week.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
