JMU described Bernett as "a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program". Colin Cowherd: Kevin Durant Has to Demand For Nets Ownership to Dump Kyrie, Colin Cowherd Rips Kevin Durant For Leaving the Warriors For Kyrie Irving, Rob Parker Blasts Jerry West For His Anger Towards HBO Show 'Winning Time', Shocking Video Shows Mike Tyson Pummeling Man on Commercial Flight, Colin Cowherd Says He Would Rather Have Anthony Edwards than Ja Morant, Clay Travis: Colin Kaepernick's 'Nonsensical' Martyr Shtick is Now Over, Pro Football Hall of Fame RB Says 'NFL Is Overrated, Not Really That Hard', Colin Cowherd on 'Toxic' Russell Westbrook: "I Wish He Would Retire". The Dukes then beat Oklahoma and Oklahoma State before losing back-to-back games to the Sooners in the WCWS. 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 Western Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia said Thursday that Bernett, 20, died by suicide. 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 . STAY UP-TO-DATE: Subscribe to our Sports newsletter now! She was 7-of-9 at the plate with seven RBI and four runs as JMU swept Drexel over the weekend. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. She had easily eclipsed those totals in 2022 with nine homers and 33 RBI while increasing her slugging percentage by 250 points. HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison University announced Tuesday that one of their own has passed away. Jason Hahn is a Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. She had just been named the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Week on Monday after a strong performance in a series against Drexel over the weekend. Shulze, of Oak Park, California, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the 2020 and 2021 cross country seasons, as well as 2021 for track. James Madison announced Tuesday that softball team catcher Lauren Bernett had died. A cause of death has been revealed for James Madison University softball star Lauren Bernett. he James Madison softball team announced Monday it canceled the final four games of its 2022 season after sophomore catcher Lauren Bernett died last week. Fly high sweet girl pic.twitter.com/p9Mf4pub8m. T. "This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly," head coach Loren LaPorte said in a statement. She was just 20 years. USA TODAY The James Madison University softball team canceled the remainder of its 2022 season after the death of player Lauren Bernett last Monday. 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. James Madison softball player Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced Tuesday. 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,. "Our primary focus is the support of the Shulze family and our student-athletes.. Crisis Text Linealso provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. Bernett was named the Colonial Athletic Associations player of the week on Monday. Bernett, a sophomore catcher from McDonald, Pennsylvania, was a key contributor for James Madison last season on its way to a surprise showing inthe 2021 Women's College World Series. James Madison has canceled the remainder of its softball season following the death of catcher Lauren Bernett. She tied the school record for RBIs in a single game with seven on April 16. 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. 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.. CNN James Madison University has announced the death of softball athlete Lauren Bernett - one of the key players of the 2021 Women's College World Series. James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. 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. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. 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). 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Lauren Bernett was a JMU softball player known for being a standout in the program. Odicci Alexander, who was a member of last season's JMU team, posted a tribute to Bernett on Twitter. We will miss her dearly. We will miss her dearly. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Lauren's memory while finishing the academic semester strong. A day after pitcher Alissa Humphrey tweeted the news of Bernett's death "really hurts," the sophomore wrote about how her light continues to shine. I love you forever and always. Lauren Bernett has been named the conference Player of the Week after her impressive performance this weekend! "We will miss her dearly. Bernett, a sophomore, had been the program's. Bernett was 20 years old. Fellow pitcher Alexis Bermudez tweeted she loves Bernett and hopes she's "with all the puppies (she) can handle.". Bernett was hitting .336 in 107 at bats so far this season. She was an integral part of the James Madison. She had easily eclipsed those totals in 2022 with nine homers and 33 RBI while increasing her slugging percentage by 250 points. ", We love you, Lauren pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG. Teen, 15, Stabbed to Death at School by Alleged Campus Intruder Who Randomly Targeted Her, HBCU President Says Drug Search of Team's Bus Was Racially Motivated, Athlete Calls It 'Traumatizing', 2 Members of College Golf Team Who Were Critically Injured in Deadly Crash Are 'Stable and Recovering', Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week. Along with Harrisonburg, Rockingham County forms the Harrisonburg, VA, Metropolitan Statistical Area Wikipedia. "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. A terrible reminder of life's unfairness. No cause of death was. RELATED VIDEO: Cristiano Ronaldo to Miss Manchester United Game as He Mourns the Death of His Newborn Son. section: | slug: james-madison-university-softball-player-lauren-bernetts-death-classified-as-a-suicide-per-report | sport: other | route: article_single.us | The team has canceled its Wednesday doubleheader against Longwood in wake of Bernett's death. The school announced her death Tuesday, and the following day . He has a B.A. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. All Rights Reserved. You looked so good yesterday. In a game against College of Charleston on April 16, she recorded three hits and seven RBIs -- a JMU record. Apr 29, 2022. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. She was 20. Just days later, in a series against Drexel on April 23, she logged hits in seven of her nine at-bats. 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. We love you, Lauren pic.twitter.com/WWt4lkm2gG. Last month, the parents ofStanford Women's Soccer goalieKatie Meyerrevealed their daughter had died by suicide during an emotional interview withNBC'sTODAY Show. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day," a school statement read. Ms. Bernett's manner. 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. Liberty, the host school, also painted Bernett's initials and number onto the field. "College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. Photo: Courtesy of James Madison University. We will miss her dearly.. In a game against College of Charleston on April 16, she recorded three hits and seven RBIs a JMU record. My condolences to the @JMUSoftball program, the Bernett family and all Lauren's teammates and friends. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett has died, the school announced Tuesday . The award came after Bernett and the team faced Drexel University over the weekend. Alex Riley (@ByAlexRiley) April 26, 2022, Two female college athletes died this week, one confirmed suicide:Sarah Shulze - University of Wisconsin trackLauren Bernett - James Madison softballAbsolutely heartbreaking. ", "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. "We will miss her dearly.". Meyer, 22, a senior majoring in International Relations and minoring in History, was a team captain for the Cardinal, guiding Stanford to a 2019 national championship as a redshirt freshman. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. 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. Keep shining. Bernett who was batting .336 this season with nine home runs was also a key contributor to the James Madison squad that made a deep run in the 2021 Womens College World Series. Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world. James Madison University softball player Lauren Bernett, who helped her team reach the final four of the College World Series last year, has died. Dave 'Softy' Mahler & Dick Fain Interviews, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Four of those hits went for extra bases. In a statement announcing the sad news Tuesday morning, JMU officials did not reveal a cause of death but said the tragedy was "devastating. College softball star Lauren Bernett died of apparent suicide, authorities say James Madison University announced Bernett's death Tuesday, saying in a statement, "Our hearts are aching.". PitcherMeredith Wells called Bernett "a light to so many." All rights reserved, Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Forecast: When to Expect the Blossoms to Peak, Conservative Justices Question Biden's Debt Relief Plan, But Appear Skeptical of States' Standing, Mother of Man Fatally Shot by Officers Outside Tysons Mall Calls for Independent Investigation, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. Bernett was a sophomore from McDonald, Pennsylvania. She was 20 years old. The Premiere Sports Lineup in the Nation! Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. On Monday, the CAA handed her its Player of the Week award for her performances. 6-keys: media/spln/other/reg/free/stories, at Four of those hits went for extra bases. She was 20. 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. The school did not release a cause of death in its announcement. According to the medical examiner's. News of Bernett's death comes amid a recent trend of reported deaths by suicide amount NCAA female athletes. Lauren you are forever in our hearts. The team has canceled its Wednesday doubleheader against Longwood in wake of Bernetts death. 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 Newsreported on Monday. Its county seat is the independent city of Harrisonburg. "This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly," JMU head coachLoren LaPortesaid. Earlier this week, Bernett wasnamed Colonial Athletic AssociationPlayer of the Weekas the Dukes swept a three-game setfrom Drexel. 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. The Colonial Athletic Associations player of the week award for her performances semester strong finishing the academic strong! Years old eclipsed those totals in 2022 with nine homers and 33 RBI increasing... 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