California U Of Pennsylvania Player Jamain Stephens Jr. Dies Of COVID-19
By Matthew Demeke
September 9, 2020
California University of Pennsylvania announced Tuesday that player Jamain Stephens Jr. had died. He was 20. Stephens was set to be a senior in 2020-21. The school said the 6-3, 355-pound defensive tackle had played in 32 games throughout his career. He had three tackles in 11 games in 2019.
"Jamain was such a wonderful student with a smile on his face every time you saw him," athletic director Karen Hjerpe said in a statement. "His personality was contagious and he made such a positive impact on everyone he met.”
According to Stephens’ high school and his obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he died from complications of COVID-19.Cal U's conference, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, suspended all competition for the fall semester in July in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Division II Council followed up in August by canceling fall sports championships. The NCAA shared a message of condolences on Tuesday.
"We join Cal U in mourning the loss of Jamain Stephens," read a tweet from the NCAA. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates during this time."
Stephens was a defensive end at California University of Pennsylvania and a business administration major and honor roll student. He played in 32 games through three seasons. He would've turned 21 on Sept. 21.
It is with deep sorrow that Central Catholic informs you of the death on Sept. 8, 2020, of Jamain "Juice" Stephens, ’17. Read more: https://t.co/tJ2AaKb3j5 pic.twitter.com/Qw5HdGAvGY
— Central Catholic (@centralvikings) September 8, 2020
Photo: Getty Images