Hardy, 22, graduated in December after just three-and-a-half yearswith a double major in accounting and finance while also playing a sport. In his own words: If you want to win, just give me the ball.'. He is fighting it head on. A courageous, honorable young man. His three best friends on the womens soccer team sat in silence even after he hung up, tears streaming down their faces. Justin Schapman followed with 10. I hate to use the word miraculous, but it feels like it.. St. Louis' Washington University is mourning the loss of basketball player Justin Hardy, who died on Sunday. I want to embrace the moment I am living in. Many dark days followed the news of a cancer that is diagnosed, on average, at the age of 68. The doctors had found a sizable tumor in his stomach. His muscles had morphed into something that he didnt recognize, and the first two weeks returning to conditioning were the hardest mentally. Hardy has stage four stomach cancer and is the second leading scorer for the team. At some point I had to come to terms. He is survived by his parents, Bob and Karen, and his sister, Jackie. Field House in the closing seconds to a standing ovation and scored on a layup as time expired. Hes been able to express his love for the game with contagious energy that has impacted the whole teams outlook; its given them perspective on what it means to have the privilege of stepping on the court every day. "In place of flowers, we encourage donations to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe. Stu Durando is the SLU beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He does all of the little things that makes teams great, and the Bears are just that. The criminal recently said he was still able to do '95 press-ups in 30 seconds' and exercises regularly. He missed the teams two NCAA Tournament games. The funds will be used for medical and memorial expenses, with the majority put towards the HardyStrong Scholarship - a fund for high school graduates competing athletically in college who share Justin's grit, determination, and all-around excellence.". He said: He added that everything will be fine in life if people look at it with optimism. I urge you if you havent, search up his story and read it. According to The Source, Hardy lost 50 pounds after chemotherapy and thought he might not be able to play his final season. Credit Solution Experts Incorporated offers quality business credit building services, which includes an easy step-by-step system designed for helping clients build their business credit effortlessly. Hardy died on Sunday morning following a long battle with stomach cancer. "And there wasn't going . Justin Hardy "passed peacefully" on Sunday . In April, Hardy received the US Basketball Writers Association Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award in New Orleans. As a doctoral student at Washington Universitys medical school, Jackie is Justins only family member in St. Louis as he finishes his career playing basketball for the Bears. He lost 50 pounds and resigned himself to sitting out his final season. "After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning, Sunday, May 29th. Were having a phenomenal year. All of Hardys roommates huddled around one phone, and they initially didnt know anything except for that something was seriously wrong. If this isnt beating it, I dont know what is.. Now, while still in treatment for his stage four stomach cancer, Hardy is back to scoring just under 11 points per game the second highest on the team and was an integral part of the No. Hardy wasnt even considering the possibility of returning to the court until his oncologist brought it up during a routine check-in in late July. He lost 50 pounds and resigned himself to sitting out his final season. In April, he was named the Most Outstanding Senior in College Basketball and delivered a heartbreaking acceptance speech. He was the 2018 Kane County Chronicle Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at. Jackie and younger brother Nathan tested negative for the mutation. Hell play tricks of the card game Hearts for hours, banding together with his friends to leave someone with the unlucky queen of spades. Hardy is hoping Washington University gets another opportunity in the NCAA Tournament. Still, in a high-flying offense that finished eighth in the league with 249.4 passing yards per game last season, Hardy is liable to put up a couple double-digit outings in standard scoring formats. The Bears did earn a ticket to the NCAA tournament, but were unable to advance to the Sweet 16 after a tough 2-point loss. Maybe he could compete for a rotation spot. He was 22. Bucknor for rejecting handshake: Zero class, Suspect charged in fatal shooting in downtown St. Louis, Man shot and killed after fight in downtown St. Louis, Is Kim Gardner right? Now, while still in treatment for his stage four stomach cancer, Hardy is back to scoring just under 11 points per game the second highest on the team and was an integral part of the No. Until he missed Fridays game at Emory University. ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, built a relationship with Hardy. The prognosis isnt pretty, but I am not like most, he told KSDK. Hardy's was also spotlighted by ESPN's College Gameday this past college basketball season. Karen Hardys reading has been more extensive. BA @McKinsey | IEMS @Northwestern '22. Basketball analyst Dick Vitale also offered his support and said the impact Justin had on those in his life was reflected in the Most Courageous Award that he received in New Orleans. He was just 22. He majored in accounting and finance, which means that he cant ignore the odds that were given to him. Juckem was present for all three events. To show their support, Nolan, his teammates and Juckem designed #HardyStrong T-shirts emblazoned with the motto You are stronger. Soon Bears of all sports, fans and even players representing rival teams wore the shirts in solidarity. Your email address will not be published. This is my life now and one day it changed forever. At first it was a pretty toxic thing. }. I was in tears after the game, hugging that kid. Justin Hardy, a former St. Charles East four-year varsity basketball player and current player for Washington University in St. Louis, is presented with the Jodie Harrison Lifetime. Its truly incredible. With a dribble and a yell, he dunked against Wesleyans all-American center. Wrestling fans have witnessed the rise and fall, along with triumphs and stumbles, throughout Hardy's 28-year career. He followed through with an internship last summer while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. True inspiration, Prayers for Justins family. After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning, Sunday, May 29, Bob Hardy, Justins father, wrote on Twitter. The first person Hardy called from the hospital was his dad. As we grieve alongside the Hardy family, we also thank them for the gifts that Justin brought to his teammates and friends at WashU. Since some bad chemo experiences last spring and summer, he has endured the drugs without many side effects. "I know the Moodys won't tour again," Lodge said. We've received your submission. By Jenny Berg. He worried the attention would add further pain for his family and closest friends. In February, Hardy was featured on ESPNs College GameDay, where he spoke candidly about moving forward despite his terminal diagnosis. I want to embrace the moment I am living in. I will ask the Lord to make his presents known to you and touch you and take away all of the cancer from your body. 2023 Cable News Network. Dr. Park, however, was more optimistic, saying that Hardys overall health can be helpful in his ability to fight the cancer and withstand aggressive treatments. Omar Adegbola records his first Triple double 21pts 12rbs & 10asts,Eric Ihekwaba 22pts 10rbs 5blk, Ayo Bamisile 17pts 10rbs, DaveOlayini 14pts 6rbs 6ast, Isaiah Campbell 13pts. Someone said, Positivity kills cancer. I dont feel happy with the situation, but I do with where I am in life.. He was 22. He was 22. In his own words: If you want to win, just give me the ball.. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum. Death (Photo by Pixabay) Simple skills that once were second nature were initially still a struggle the senior was tricking wide open layups. An official cause of death has not been announced yet. There was a problem saving your notification. She keeps tabs on her younger brother, who she considers the equivalent of a twin. He knows the facts but remains positive and is pretty much doing everything right.. Jayson Tatum helps Celtics outlast Heat in Game 7, as Butler misses a crucial shot, Chaos in ABA League Finals: Raging Zvezda fans throw objects, as Lessort tries to confront the crowd, Former ASVEL associate coach Frederic Fauthoux takes over Bourg. Justin Hardy, who was second in scoring at Washington University while battling Stage IV stomach cancer . This is all mind over matter, Hardy typed. Theres nothing at this point that can really rattle me., A lot of things have stayed constant for Hardy over his three and a half years at WashU. Your email address will not be published. He was 22. He graduated in December with a degree in business administration and resumed tutoring students in subjects such as calculus and statistics. Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. I dont think I can be content and accept that this is happening. All things NFL players are looking for. Hardy went back to Chicago to figure out a plan for treatment at University of Chicagos oncology center. ST. CHARLES, IL A former St. Charles East basketball standout who refused to let cancer stand in the way of living his life to the fullest has died. Washington University basketball star Justin Hardy died on Sunday, just months after helping lead his team to the post-season while playing with stage 4 stomach cancer. This is one of the best years of my life that I have lived. Hes not like that. At some point I had to come to terms, Hardy told Stu Durando, basketball reporter for theSt. Louis Post-Dispatch. RIPJustin. What a story of strength and determination. Hailing from . No matter what was happening on the scoreboard and we had plenty of success we felt like every day was a win because we were in it together.. Hes seeing diminishing returns from the therapy, which he describes as maintenance as opposed to a cure the tumor has started to adapt, which means that now he has to start considering other options. ': Battling stage 4 stomach cancer, WashU's Justin Hardy inspires on senior night, Hardy Strong: WashU athlete plays on while battling Stage 4 stomach cancer. Dr. Haeseong Park, a Washington University oncologist at Siteman Cancer Center, said she has not seen a case of stomach cancer in someone Hardys age in two or three years. God loves you just ask. Lisa Salters and Jeff Van Gundy shared some of his remarkable story on the ABC telecast. You can express your gratitude here. Published Hardy was raised in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles and earned his degree in finance and accounting from Olin Business School in December, after just 3 1/2 years. We have the awesome responsibility to carry forward his legacy of relentless positivity. . A 6-foot-5 forward, Hardy was rookie of the year in the University Athletic Association and then earned second team all-conference honors by averaging 14.3 points and 7.0 rebounds as a sophomore. Basketball has always been a passion for Hardy, but as hes come back this season, its become a refuge. The NBA G League Ignite team landed its second high-profile commitment from the class of 2021 on Saturday as five-star shooting guard Jaden Hardy announced he plans to sign with the professional . Ive seen his strength since Day One, Jackie Hardy said. Bob, Im so very sad to learn of Justins passing and very fortunate and thankful to have known him. Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. But he did take the court one final time during the Bears final regular season gameagainst UAA rival University of Chicago. Your login session has expired. My life is better just for meeting him. }. I dont know how anyone could fail to be moved by Justins honesty, by the nature of the medical odds he faces, by the elegance of his iron will, and by an extraordinary brand of courage and inner strength that somehow overpowers Stage 4 cancer for the length of a college basketball game, Wojciechowski wrote. Diane Toroian Keaggy wrote this article for The Source. They were led by Camdon Khon's 14 points. From the moment he stepped foot on this campus, he has been a pillar both on and off the floor. Example video title will go here for this video. How, after a life-changing diagnosis, he became a better person, a better friend and a better teammate. Having played there (1961 grad) I follow the team on line. five Justin Hardy earned his degree in finance and accounting from Olin Business School in December, after just 3 1/2 years. What a story. But Hardys mother, Karen, does possess CDH1. The team had advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. He stated that he took that to heart and thought it was one of the reasons he was able to do all he did. 2 min read. Hardy relished the unpredictability and excitement of his innovative "Expedition of Gold" series in 2017, where he and Jeff Hardy wrestled for Impact as well as traveled to other promotions. Hardy wasnt finished. No matter what circumstances are, I am going to attack it the best I can," Hardy told 5 On Your Side's Frank Cusumano during this past WashU season. 2. Diagnosed in April 2021, Justin Hardy graduated in December and recovered from 50 pounds of weight loss to play college basketball. Six current and former teammates, alongside Washington coach Pat Juckem and Hardys high school coach, traveled to join his parents, Bob and Karen, while he accepted his award. Justins story has resonated with so many people at Washington University and beyond, Juckem said. Over the Zoom screen, Hardy paused as he thought about it. He was an inspiration and he will be missed. COVID was not a trivial matter to Justin Hardy, but he already had been dealt a tougher opponent. I dont want this to be the Justin Hardy show. The two met while starring on the soap opera "Passions," got . No matter what was happening on the scoreboardand we had plenty of successwe felt like every day was a win because we were in it together.. Dom Adduci (2014), AJ Washington (2014), Cole Gentry (2015) and Justin Hardy (2018) After undergoing genetic testing, it was discovered that Hardy has the CDH1 gene mutation, which made him a high risk for aggressive stomach cancer. ST. LOUIS The Washington University basketball player who inspired people all around the country during his fight against cancer, has died. Its hard for me to understand the magnitude of how bad its getting sometimes.. He was just the most selfless person, always there with a text message or a gesture, checking in to make sure youre OK.. Justin graduated with a degree in Business Administration while playing basketball for the Bears. This type of cancer is harder to treat than earlier stage stomach cancer. "I would tour, but I know Justin [] doesn't want to tour with the Moodys, so it won't happen." Early rounds of chemotherapy left Hardy sapped. Its a tough one to swallow.. (Photo by Curran Neenan / Student Life), His optimism is infectious for his team; hes struggled through dark moments over the past six months, but hes been intentional about putting a positive spin on his situation. He learned last spring that he had Stage 4 stomach cancer, a devastating and rare diagnosis for someone so young. Given an initial prognosis of 12-18 months after diagnosis, Hardy averaged 11.1 points in 23 minutes per game over 21 games last season. While dealing with his treatment, he continued to be a major . He then receives a sequence of three chemotherapies that take from one to three hours each. Its not about the incredible journey from a hospital bed to the basketball court. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about wide receiver Justin Hardy on ESPN. You have permission to edit this article. To respond to even the toughest of circumstances with the strength and courage that Justin did. James Jia. His diagnosis was so unlikely in the first place that he has hope that he can also defy the odds with his outcome. If I want to live life, I have to choose to put my best foot forward and attack it with a positive mentality. He averages 24 minutes a game, 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the No. This is my life now and one day it changed forever. What Justin is doing right now is a miracle, Jack Nolan, a WashU basketball player who is teammate of Hardy, recently told television station KSDK-Channel 5s Frank Cusumano. He worried the attention would add further pain for his family and closest friends. Justin lived like he played basketball, meeting each moment with uncommon determination and hope, Martin said. Hardys father Bob shared the news in a post on Twitter on Sunday. Justin Hardy is Washington University's second-leading scorer this season despite battling stage 4 stomach cancer. Required fields are marked *, Solve the equation: * 9:49 AM EDT, Wed June 1, 2022. Our community is forever changed by his legacy of love and strength.. Justin Hardy became a popular name in all these years for being a successful basketball player and for his inspirational battle with cancer and Covid-19. Hardy was supposed to serve as an honorary marshal. A Warner Bros. Finally, he is attached to a device he takes home that pumps a treatment into his body for 24 hours. Justin's story was previously documented on ESPN'sSportsCenter Featured. Everyone knows Justins incredible story about how he kept playing, Nolan said. We were in awe on a daily basis.. He was the second-leading scorer on the team last season and was named to the University Athletic Association's first team. "The sadness was really tough at first just because I felt my life was kind of closing in on me," Hardy said. Pat Juckem, men's basketball head coach, said Hardy was a leader whose love for the game was surpassed only by his love for his teammates. They ran a biopsy and pathology on the mass, and after days in the hospital, Justin Hardy was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He is the most compassionate person in the sense that he is constantly investing in everyone else, Wendler said. But he did take the court one final time during the Bears final regular season gameagainst UAA rival University of Chicago. What we saw this yearhis courage, his toughness, his commitment to his teammatesis really mind-blowing. Hardy first received the devastating stage 4 cancer diagnosis back in April 2021. Justins story has resonated with so many people at Washington University and beyond, Juckem said. He was 22. He was named first-teamAll-UAA (University Athletic Association) and second-team NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) All-District 8. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to theHardyStrong Scholarship. According to Justin's family, celebrations of his life will be held on June 2 and 3. Hardy was supposed to serve as an honorary marshal. His family doesnt doubt that hell be ready for whatever is next. But when doctors gave Hardy the go-ahead to play, Hardy decided he would do everything in his power to help the Bears reach the NCAA tournament. Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). We feel Justins presence all of the time, Juckem was quoted as saying. Justin Hardy, a basketball player for the St. Louis-based college, passed away early morning on May 29 after spending the last "13 months courageously redefining what it means to live with. The remarkable Justin Hardy who inspired all those who knew him and his courageous story passed away today, his family says. The team had advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. He finished his collegiate career with 387 receptions, the most of any wide receiver in NCAA history at the time. There was a time I watched him walk upstairs a half a step at a time. More features from the Student Life sports section: Three-time Paralympic champion Kendall Gretschs journey from Olin Library to Tokyo gold, There has to be a way to do a better job: How the history of WUs head coaches of color relates to current conversations of diversity in athletics, From the neighborhoods of Tamale, Ghana, to Francis Olympic Field: The mens soccer assistant coachs journey to the top, Tags: Hayden Doyle, Jack Nolan, Justin Hardy, Kally Wendler, pat juckem, Stomach cancer. And he was right., WashU senior Justin Hardy checks into the game for the first time and scores the final points of the regular season for the Bears. I look up to him in a million ways, but mainly because despite his circumstances, hes just been so unrelenting in our friendship, Wendler said. A hospital bed to the basketball court and finance while also playing a sport he does all of Hardys huddled! In the sense that he didnt recognize, and after days in the first two weeks returning the. 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