UNC Cheerleader dead

[Zippa D Doodah]

A sad side note to this year's NCAA Men's tourney...

You may have heard on CBS' coverage about the young man who portrayed UNC's mascot being struck by an SUV while in NJ. Sadly, he has died from his injuries. http://charlotte.com/109/story/63753.html

Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Oh, that is such bad news. I heard about the accident over the weekend. Prayers to his family and friends.

 

[NewJersey]

I heard about that yesterday . Such sad news...Prayers said for him, his teammates, and his family. What a sad story.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Just read about it in The News & Record.

Lori

 

[charlie,nj]

(this is the piece from a new jersey news source..sad)

Posted: Monday, 26 March 2007 3:41PM

UNC Mascot Dies after N.J. Accident


HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) -- Jason Ray, the North Carolina student who performed as a mascot for the school's basketball team, died three days after he was struck by a car hours before an NCAA tournament game. He was 21.

Ray died Monday morning, said Steve Kirschner, the university's associate athletic director for communications.

Ray had been in critical condition Hackensack University Medical Center since the accident Friday afternoon. He was hit from behind while walking on a highway shoulder near his hotel in Fort Lee after going to a nearby convenience store.

Ray performed as UNC's ram mascot, Rameses. He was scheduled to graduate in May with a major in business administration and a minor in religion. He was in New Jersey for the men's game between North Carolina and Southern California.

Emmitt Ray said his son "absolutely loved'' dressing up as Rameses, despite the costume's bulk.

"It was his way of supporting the team,'' the Emmitt Ray told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "There are things you just can't explain. He wasn't doing anything he wasn't supposed to be doing. He was 200 yards from the hotel.''

No charges have been filed against he driver of the sport utility vehicle. Police said the driver stopped immediately to try to help Ray and called 911. Police also said the driver had a valid driver's license and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

On Sunday, more than two dozen family members and friends held a bedside vigil for Ray. About 40 people attended a prayer session for him on the UNC campus Sunday afternoon, said Laura Ely, 22, a UNC senior who met Ray early in their freshman year.

Ely recalled in an e-mail how Ray auditioned for the mascot role.

"I remember vividly Jason telling me about trying out for a position as UNC mascot,'' she wrote. "He was instructed to dress up in costume and walk around the pit (a common area on campus) and interact with students as if he were at a game interacting with fans. He obviously made a good impression because he was soon accepted and began dressing for games right away.''

Ray's organs are being harvested throughout the day and it is believed 80 people will be receiving organs, 1010 WINS Steve Sandberg reported. His heart will be going to someone in the Washington D.C. area.




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[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Such a sad and tragic story. It's all over the news here. You just never know.

 

[tar heel]

This is the most devastating news for our community and high school as well as the university.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

This is the most devastating news for our community and high school as well as the university.

I don't live in Concord now, but Concord is my hometown. I mourn with you.

 

[tar heel]

I didn't know you were from Concord Zippa! We're not natives, but we've lived here 20 years and in North Carolina all our lives.

Jason's death really puts the awful Georgetown game in perspective.

 

[mickeyboat]

 

[Oreo Cookie]

This is just so tragic and sad. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. From all that I read, he was a wonderful young man who touched many lives, and now he is gone. I think the family did an amazing thing by donating his organs so that other people have a chance at life.