Jeron Lewis Died
Jan 15, 2010 0:52:59 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Jan 15, 2010 0:52:59 GMT -5
www.courierpress.com/news/2010/jan/14/usi-forward-jeron-lewis-dies/
OWENSBORO, Ky. — Tragedy struck a spirited college basketball rivalry Thursday night when Jeron Lewis, a University of Southern Indiana senior, fell to the floor and later died.
Lewis, a senior from Fort Wayne, Ind., was injured with 4:32 to play in the game against Kentucky Wesleyan College. He was removed on a stretcher and taken away by ambulance to Owensboro Medical Health Systems.
What happened to cause Lewis' death is still a mystery. Daviess County, Ky., Coroner Bob Howe said Lewis was pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m. at the hospital.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday morning at the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office in Madisonville.
“The university community is heartbroken with the passing of this outstanding young man,” said USI President Linda Bennett. “Jeron was an excellent example of a student athlete who strove to be the best that he could be. He will be truly missed, not only by his teammates, but by the university community. Our prayers are with Jeron’s family in their time of need.”
Lewis, 21, was in his second season at USI. He had left the team for two games in December to return home to Fort Wayne for the birth of his first child, Jamel.
The 6-foot-8, 260-pound center had transferred to USI from Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, and had also played at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill. In high school, he played at Fort Wayne North Side High and led the state in rebounding his senior year.
Having dropped 30 pounds in the offseason, Lewis had become a more regular contributor for the Eagles than he was last season. Lewis had appeared in 15 games for the Eagles this season. Averaging just under 22 minutes of playing time per game, Lewis was a power both on offense and defense for the unbeaten team, averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds.
USI, ranked No. 5 in the country in Division II, beat No. 10 Kentucky Wesleyan 74-69. The two teams are longtime rivals in the conference.
OWENSBORO, Ky. — Tragedy struck a spirited college basketball rivalry Thursday night when Jeron Lewis, a University of Southern Indiana senior, fell to the floor and later died.
Lewis, a senior from Fort Wayne, Ind., was injured with 4:32 to play in the game against Kentucky Wesleyan College. He was removed on a stretcher and taken away by ambulance to Owensboro Medical Health Systems.
What happened to cause Lewis' death is still a mystery. Daviess County, Ky., Coroner Bob Howe said Lewis was pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m. at the hospital.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday morning at the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office in Madisonville.
“The university community is heartbroken with the passing of this outstanding young man,” said USI President Linda Bennett. “Jeron was an excellent example of a student athlete who strove to be the best that he could be. He will be truly missed, not only by his teammates, but by the university community. Our prayers are with Jeron’s family in their time of need.”
Lewis, 21, was in his second season at USI. He had left the team for two games in December to return home to Fort Wayne for the birth of his first child, Jamel.
The 6-foot-8, 260-pound center had transferred to USI from Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, and had also played at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill. In high school, he played at Fort Wayne North Side High and led the state in rebounding his senior year.
Having dropped 30 pounds in the offseason, Lewis had become a more regular contributor for the Eagles than he was last season. Lewis had appeared in 15 games for the Eagles this season. Averaging just under 22 minutes of playing time per game, Lewis was a power both on offense and defense for the unbeaten team, averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds.
USI, ranked No. 5 in the country in Division II, beat No. 10 Kentucky Wesleyan 74-69. The two teams are longtime rivals in the conference.
