Apparent head injury led to convulsions
By Drew Bruno
Posted January 15, 2010 at 12:10 a.m. , updated January 15, 2010 at 11:26 a.m.
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Jeron Lewis
OWENSBORO, Ky. — University of Southern Indiana men's basketball player Jeron Lewis died on Thursday night, apparently from a head injury suffered during a game at Kentucky Wesleyan College.
No games Saturday
The University of Southern Indiana's men's and women's basketball doubleheader with Quincy University on Saturday has been postponed, said Ray Simmons, the school's sports information director. A make-up date for both games will be announced at a later time.
USI has scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference at the Physical Activities Center today.
Lewis, a senior post player, was 21.
At approximately 9:05 p.m., Lewis lay motionless after his feet became tangled and he tumbled to the floor of the Owensboro Sportscenter and hit his head, multiple witnesses said.
He lay prone with his hands outstretched above his head briefly as trainers from both teams ran to him. Then he began convulsing as they tried to secure him.
After the movement subsided, the 6-foot-8, 260-pound Lewis was placed on a backboard and gurney and taken to Owensboro Medical Health System by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m.
An exact cause of death is not known, but Daviess County Coroner Bob Howe scheduled an autopsy for this morning.
In December, Lewis left the team for two games to be present for the birth of his first child, son Jamel, in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind.
"Real exciting," Lewis said Dec. 14.
"I hated to be away from these guys, but it was a big deal, and I was glad I could be there for that."
A senior who was majoring in business management, Lewis was in his second year with the Eagles after transferring from Northeastern Junior College in Colorado.
Unaware of Lewis' status or the severity of his condition, his teammates finished out a 74-69 win in what is one of Division II basketball's most heated rivalries, and it wasn't until more than 30 minutes after the game ended that USI players and coaches became aware he had died.
"I hate to speculate," Eagles' coach Rodney Watson said immediately after the game.
"I don't know, don't know what it was. I'm going to go to the hospital and find out those answers."
Before the team left, however, they had received the news and retreated to the locker room.
Later, a tearful bunch of Eagles emerged to return home to Evansville without one of their own.
“The university community is heartbroken with the passing of this outstanding young man,” said USI President Linda Bennett. “Jeron was an excellent example of a student athlete who strove to be the best that he could be. He will be truly missed, not only by his teammates, but by the university community. Our prayers are with Jeron’s family in their time of need.”
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