JMU Mourns the Loss of Softball’s Lauren Bernett

Dear JMU community,

Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes. Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. She was a key member of our 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year.

College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. We are a tight family. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. We will miss her dearly.

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. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.

Jonathan Alger
JMU President

Jeff Bourne
JMU Director of Athletics

For additional support please reach out to:

Counseling Center, 540-568-6552
Dean of Students Office, 540-568-6468
Campus Crisis line after hours, 540-568-6552
Sentara RMH Emergency Department, 540-689-1414
Self-Help resources available through the University Counseling Center
TAO mental health resource
Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor
Counseling Center's Additional 24/7 Emergency Information

Wednesday's home softball doubleheader vs. Longwood has been canceled. Information about other remaining contests on JMU's schedule will be shared once available.