UNC Mascot Dies Amid March Madness
The University of North Carolina lost its chance at reaching the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. But mourning among basketball fans is centered around the recent death of the school's mascot, Jason Ray.
Amid anticipation for NCAA's most watched games next week, UNC students and family members are preparing for Saturday's memorial service for Ray, who was known on campus as Rameses the Ram.
Ray died Monday morning as a result of sustained injuries from a car accident three days earlier. He was struck from behind by a car while walking on a highway shoulder just hours before the UNC Tar Heels faced Georgetown in East Rutherford, N.J.
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"On behalf of the NCAA and its member institutions, we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Jason Ray," NCAA president Dr. Myles Brand said in a released statement. "Jason was in East Rutherford for the Division I men's basketball tournament East Regional, where he was to serve as the mascot for the University of North Carolina and be among the thousands of young people who get to be a part of this special event. It is with great sorrow that we learned of Jason's passing."
No charges were filed against the driver who police said stopped immediately after the accident to try to help Ray and called 911. The driver did not seem to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police said.
The 6-foot-5 student was 21 and a senior preparing for graduation in May with a degree in business administration and a minor in religion. While widely known on campus as UNC's mascot, Ray was also a leader for the Christian campus fellowship InterVarsity.
He led Bible studies with Brian Humphries, a junior, and was active at his home church.
In both basketball games and Christian fellowship, Ray left an impression of high energy and pure joy.
"Jason gave Rameses an energy that was unique," said UNC cheerleading coach Brown Walters, according to the university. "He embodied all of the qualities you would want in a team member. He was a tremendous ambassador of the University of North Carolina."
"It was just like pure joy," Humphries said about Ray's laugh, according to The Charlotte Observer. "I think we can fake laughter sometimes. Jason couldn't."
Ray's family will hold a viewing and visitation on Friday at Concord First Assembly, according to InterVarsity's chapter fellowship at UNC.
"He leaves behind a legacy of friendship, laughter, excitement for life and a genuine love for all the people he touched during his all-too-short life," said Ray's brother, Allen.
