Spring Break
Community honors a fallen Husky
Speakers including Randy Edsall, President Hogan, teachers and friends reflect on his life
Russell Blair
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: News
Twenty-five days later and one thing is certain: Jasper Howard won't soon be forgotten.
Howard's teammates, family, UConn administrators and students packed the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts Thursday night for "A Celebration of Jazz," a tribute dedicated to the life of student-athlete Howard who was stabbed to death Oct. 18 outside the Student Union.
Speakers included those who had been at the previous memorials and vigils such as UConn football coach Randy Edsall, UConn President Michael Hogan and UConn Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway, but new faces were introduced as well.
In front of Howard's family, who had made the trip up from Miami for Thursday's ceremony, Kaili McLaren, a senior and member of the women's basketball team, told an anecdote reflecting on how full of life and joy Howard was.
"I remember the first time I met him, we went to Charter Oak Suites to try and meet football boys," McLaren said. "I went into one of the rooms and before I could say anything he jumped up and said 'Hey I'm Jazz, MIA for life, live 365.' He always brought that positive vibe and could brighten up anybody's day."
McLaren went on to reminisce about the time herself and teammate Lorin Dixon had a three-point shooting competition with Howard and his football teammate Brian Parker with an interesting caveat; the loser must cook the winner dinner. Expectedly, the two basketball players won, but despite the loss Howard was all smiles.
"He was always positive about the situation no matter what," McLaren said. "Rest in peace, but you still owe us dinner."
Dr. Wilena Kimpson Price, director of the African American Cultural Center, spoke of her experience having Howard and his teammates in her class this semester. During one class discussion about backgrounds and upbringings, Howard was asked to share a memory after his teammate Kelmetrus "Meme" Wylie had spoken.
"Meme said what I was going to say," Howard responded with a sheepish grin.
Howard's teammates, family, UConn administrators and students packed the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts Thursday night for "A Celebration of Jazz," a tribute dedicated to the life of student-athlete Howard who was stabbed to death Oct. 18 outside the Student Union.
Speakers included those who had been at the previous memorials and vigils such as UConn football coach Randy Edsall, UConn President Michael Hogan and UConn Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway, but new faces were introduced as well.
In front of Howard's family, who had made the trip up from Miami for Thursday's ceremony, Kaili McLaren, a senior and member of the women's basketball team, told an anecdote reflecting on how full of life and joy Howard was.
"I remember the first time I met him, we went to Charter Oak Suites to try and meet football boys," McLaren said. "I went into one of the rooms and before I could say anything he jumped up and said 'Hey I'm Jazz, MIA for life, live 365.' He always brought that positive vibe and could brighten up anybody's day."
McLaren went on to reminisce about the time herself and teammate Lorin Dixon had a three-point shooting competition with Howard and his football teammate Brian Parker with an interesting caveat; the loser must cook the winner dinner. Expectedly, the two basketball players won, but despite the loss Howard was all smiles.
"He was always positive about the situation no matter what," McLaren said. "Rest in peace, but you still owe us dinner."
Dr. Wilena Kimpson Price, director of the African American Cultural Center, spoke of her experience having Howard and his teammates in her class this semester. During one class discussion about backgrounds and upbringings, Howard was asked to share a memory after his teammate Kelmetrus "Meme" Wylie had spoken.
"Meme said what I was going to say," Howard responded with a sheepish grin.
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