Catch up on the stories that have people reading and talking. JMU softball At a time college softball has more parity than ever, it also has a favorite as clear as crystal, suicide of James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett, Wisconsin runner Sarah Shulze on April 13, Racing for foul balls? Please allow us to introduce everyone to our newest little Duke!!! Rebecca Muh, Grace Newell, Brittany Hook and Avery Pinder will join the Dukes on the field in the 2023 season. After a dominant performance in the regular season, the Dukes entered the postseason with a 341 record. After suffering a torn hamstring on March 12, Alexander did not play again until April 17. Bernett was 20 years old. For additional support please reach out to: Copyright 2022 WHSV. We will use this time to continue healing and to honor Laurens memory while finishing the academic semester strong., Stanford soccer star's death renews questions about student-athletes' mental health. However, the Jed Foundation, a national nonprofit working to prevent suicides and improve emotional health of young people, indicates the challenges of mental health have grown steadily among college students during the past five years. Look at video. softball LaPorte, formerly known as Loren Messick, was an All-ODAC shortstop at Roanoke College. It's not just about getting here. It was a party atmosphere; music was thumping and giveaways included posters, pom-poms, decals and streamers. The Dukes were 13-6 in 2020 before the shutdown. We wouldnt be where we are without you, head coach Loren LaPorte told the fans. To say she will be missed is an overwhelming understatement. Eat breakfast. Oklahoma's Patty Gasso discusses mental health among college athletes. Go to practice. After the two-week layoff, they swept all four games of their own tournament, beating Stony Brook and Rhode Island twice. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline any time day or night at (800) 273-TALK (8255). 0:29. Bernett is the third Division-I female athlete to commit suicide in less than two months. Theyre playing games, and theyre laughing, and theyre laughing so loud securitys coming up to the room, Gasso said. James Madison softball head coach Loren LaPorte and the senior members of the team thank fans in Harrisonburg Tuesday during a ceremony welcoming them James Madison University softball … It just filled my heart, and I know that I have to do more things to make this more humanized than robotic.. It's about showing everybody we belong.. Softball Coaches - James Madison University Athletics Error! She is 16-1 with a 1.14 ERA overall this season and is also batting .343. Alexander was named to this seasons USA Softball Top 50 Watch List and Softball Americas Top 100. He signed a five-year deal upon his hiring in 2018 with a base salary that averages out to $150,000 per year. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. 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. Work out. For her part, LaPorte said this week shes not trying to use JMU as a stepping stone to a job at a high-major conference school, and that her Virginia roots run deep. Absolutely," LaPorte said. James Madison University is mourning the death of sophomore softball player Lauren Bernett, the school announced this week. The past few months havent been all negative. James Madison University cancels remainder of softball season JMU Softball coaching staff release statement on Lauren Bernett. How pressure of college sports can harm athletes' mental health. Really sad, OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said earlier this week as tears welled in his eyes. LaPorte and her husband, former Roanoke College basketball player Josh LaPorte, have a 5-year-old son and an 8-month-old daughter. Gasso hopes she is doing everything she can to respond. Gajewski is proactive in Students and faculty were shocked to hear of the death of Katie Meyer, a student and standout soccer player for the university on Wednesday.