"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. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. ", Lauren Bernett has been named the conference Player of the Week after her impressive performance this weekend! https://t.co/954Q6Gnhe2#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/ssxzJh6uTA. ", LIVE NOW: 3 Men Convicted In Ahmaud Arbery Killing Learn Sentence, It's Official Twitter Confirms Elon Musk New Owner, Sam Bruce St. Thomas Aquinas HS Football Legend Found Dead At 24. She had just earned Colonial Athletic Association. ", We love you, Lauren pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG. She was an integral part of the James Madison. How JMU catcher Lauren Bernett's death rocked college softball and pushed it to action on mental health 0:00 2:26 Jenni Carlson Oklahoman Less than 24 hours before her team's biggest series. In their statement, Alger and Bourne called the 20-year-old a "key member" of the school's Women's College World Series team last year. "Her deep compassion was evident in her devotion to her sisters Abbey and Ella, the love her parents felt from her every single day, and the extra care she took in moments shared with her grandparents and cousins.. Geo quick facts: Rockingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. Bernett was named the CAA Player of the Week earlier this week, batting .778 with seven RBIs in a three-game stretch. Balancing athletics, academics and the demands of everyday life overwhelmed her in a single, desperate moment," the family said in a statement. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call theU.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or go toSpeakingOfSuicide.com/resourcesfor additional resources. She recorded four of her seven hits of the series on Sunday, which also included a home run. https://t.co/90K77ss6Il, Seton Hill Softball (@SHUgriffinsSB) April 26, 2022. Lauren Bernettwas a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! https://t.co/954Q6Gnhe2#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/ssxzJh6uTA, JMU Softball (@JMUSoftball) April 25, 2022. She was 20 years old. "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. HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison University announced Tuesday that one of their own has passed away. "JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together," they added. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Four games, one against Virginia and three against Elon, were affected. James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. 22 hours ago, Lauren Bernett was named the CAA softball Player of the Week. Colin E. Braley/ap. Since 2005! We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. On Monday, the CAA handed her its Player of the Week award for her performances. She was 20 years old. Mental health resources for student-athletes becoming priority at colleges, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The university's athletic department announced the tragic news Tuesday, but did not list a . James Madison University softball star Lauren Bernett -- who was just named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week on Monday -- has died, the school announced. Above all other things, Sarah was a power for good in the world. The Dukes then beat Oklahoma and Oklahoma State before losing back-to-back games to the Sooners in the WCWS. Statement from President Alger and Jeff Bourne on the loss of one of our own: pic.twitter.com/A5JBuR5RUg, James Madison Athletics (@JMUSports) April 26, 2022. "We are a tight family. Dave 'Softy' Mahler & Dick Fain Interviews, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. On Monday, the CAA handed her its Player of the Week award for her performances. Bernett was 20 years old. A true freshman proving to be an absolute force behind the plate. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. The death of a James Madison softball star Lauren Bernett has been classified . Lauren Bernett has been named the conference Player of the Week after her impressive performance this weekend! We will miss her dearly. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY 4/26/2022. USA TODAY The James Madison University softball team canceled the remainder of its 2022 season after the death of player Lauren Bernett last Monday. She had easily eclipsed those totals in 2022 with nine homers and 33 RBI while increasing her slugging percentage by 250 points. "Like you, we are shocked and grief stricken while holding on tightly to all that Sarah was. "Our primary focus is the support of the Shulze family and our student-athletes.. Bernett's shocking death was announced Tuesday by the university. Last month, the parents ofStanford Women's Soccer goalieKatie Meyerrevealed their daughter had died by suicide during an emotional interview withNBC'sTODAY Show. A terrible reminder of life's unfairness. James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. Crisis Text Linealso provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. The Premiere Sports Lineup in the Nation! Report: JMU Softball Player Lauren Bernett Died by Suicide Madeline Coleman Apr 28, 2022 Editor's note: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress,. You looked so good yesterday. May 2, 2022. By THECOUNT.COM "ALWAYS OPEN! It's the second tragedy to rock US college sports this month after the death of University of Wisconsin athletics star Sarah Shulze at the age of 21. Hutcheson confirmed the 20-year-old's death is being classified as such, however, an investigation is ongoing and an official report from the medical examiner's office is pending. Her reactions were as memorable as her play. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of . 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James Madison president Jonathan Alber announced Bernett's death on Tuesday (April 26), just days after she was named as the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week and months removed propelling the softball team to a Women's College World Series tournament appearance last season. JMU described Bernett as "a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program". "We will miss her dearly.". Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid federal pressure to lower costs of life-saving medication, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The Dukes had already canceled five games last week. MORE: Mental health resources for student-athletes becoming priority at colleges. Seattle's Sports Leader, 93.3 KJR FM - Home of the Huskies and Kraken, Seattles Best NFL Draft Coverage, the NFL and Super Bowl, March Madness, Final Four and the Seattle Sounders! A cause of death was not provided. The American college sports community has been left heartbroken by another tragedy, after news that James Madison University (JMU) softball star Lauren Bernett has died at the age of 20. https://t.co/QettsmChF0, Today, the JMU athletic community gathered to honor JMU softball's Lauren Bernett, who passed away yesterday.https://t.co/kY0hLvpMdH pic.twitter.com/mtT0DBNm5C, TheBreezeJMU (@TheBreezeJMU) April 27, 2022, Lauren Bernett will always be remembered by #JMUNation for her role on the @JMUSoftball WCWS team. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett died by suicide, the Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday. She was a key member of our 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year," Alger said in a statement released toJMUSports.com. By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Bernett was named the Colonial Athletic Associations player of the week on Monday. James Madison announced Tuesday that softball team catcher Lauren Bernett had died. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett died by suicide, the Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday. Wisconsin officials also shared their devastation while paying tribute to Shulze. James Madison announced Tuesday that softball team catcher Lauren Bernett had died. HUGE NEWS: Tennis world erupts over Roger Federer announcement, 'NO VIABLE ALTERNATIVE': Wimbledon defends contentious Russia ban. Bernett, a sophomore, was a star catcher for the Dukes and had just had arguably her best week ever on the diamond for JMU. CNN James Madison University said it will cancel the remainder of its softball season as the death of student athlete Lauren Bernett was ruled a suicide. Sarah Shulze, a member of the University of Wisconsin's women's track and field and cross-country teams, was reported to have died by suicide earlier this month at the age of 21, NBC News reported on Monday (April 25). Star pitcher Odicci Alexander posted to Twitter Tuesday morning that she was heartbroken about Bernett's death, with similar tributes flooding social media after the tragic news. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. In a game against College of Charleston on April 16, she recorded three hits and seven RBIs a JMU record. Bernett, a sophomore catcher from McDonald, Pennsylvania, started 43 of 45 games for a James Madison team that reached the College World Series. Bernett was a sophomore from McDonald, Pennsylvania. The Dukes' doubleheader on . Gunman Shoots Homeless Man Point Blank In The Head, Despite Being Locked Up for Megan Shooting, Suspended For Spitting On Drew Doughty In Game, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. 10 months ago. Lauren Bernett, a star player on James Madison University's softball team, has died at age 20. Four of those hits went for extra bases. Fly high sweet girl pic.twitter.com/p9Mf4pub8m. If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S.National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night. "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 told the AP via email. Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day," a school statement read. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together. Ill always remember her celebration to Odicci making the play., Catie Harper (@CatieHarper) April 26, 2022, We offer our deepest condolences to the Bernett family and the extended softball community that has been impacted. Bernett was a sophomore from McDonald, Pennsylvania and an integral part of the JMU team that made it to the 2021 Women's College World Series. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. Odicci Alexander (@2seas__) April 26, 2022. News of Bernett's death comes amid a recent trend of reported deaths by suicide amount NCAA female athletes. The school announced her death Tuesday, and the following day Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson classified it as an apparent suicide,according to the Associated Press. Washington. Bernett . Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. She was 20 years old. Liberty, the host school, also painted Bernett's initials and number onto the field. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. Lauren you are forever in our hearts. To honor Bernett, Liberty and Tennessee -- who both played JMU in last season's NCAA Regionals -- wore purple ribbons during their softball game Wednesday. Bernett was hitting .336 in 107 at bats so far this season. 8:35 pm ET, Jamie Cail's death being investigated in Virgin Islands, 2023 Kentucky Derby horses, futures picks, best bets, Maine HS basketball game ends with wild buzzer-beater, 2023 Rebel Stakes odds, horse racing picks, 2023 Saudi Cup odds, horse racing picks, best bets, Where every state stands on legalizing sports betting. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. STAY UP-TO-DATE: Subscribe to our Sports newsletter now! 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. She was just 20 years. In a joint statement announcing Bernett's death, JMU president Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne said their "hearts are aching" over the death of Bernett, whom they described as "a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program.". The school announced her death Tuesday, and the following day . The Dukes, who made the Women's College World Series last year, will finish the . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. Since 2005!" ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA. (THECOUNT) Lauren Bernett, a James Madison University softball star who on Monday was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week, has died. Star 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, authorities said. Keep shining. In a game against College of Charleston on April 16, she recorded three hits and seven RBIs -- a JMU record. "We are so grateful for the support of our fans all season and for the love from the softball community during the past week. I love you forever and always. He's worked at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter since 2017 and has interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. She was a key member of our 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year. Earlier this week, Bernett wasnamed Colonial Athletic AssociationPlayer of the Weekas the Dukes swept a three-game setfrom Drexel. Huge news: Tennis world erupts over Roger Federer announcement, 'NO VIABLE ALTERNATIVE ': Wimbledon defends contentious ban! 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