In May, sports announcer Dick Vitale paid tribute to Hardy at his annual gala to raise money for cancer research. Justin Hardy has changed my life like six different times since the diagnosis, Nolan said. All of Hardys roommates huddled around one phone, and they initially didnt know anything except for that something was seriously wrong. "After 13 months of. He leaves most of that to his sister and mother. Hardy's story of perseverance in the face of Stage 4 stomach cancer inspired people all over the country. Mentally, Im not at the point where the bad things are really bad, he said. Hardy wasnt finished. He worried the attention would add further pain for his family and closest friends. Juckem described him as the most reliable person he knows, while Doyle sees him as an older brother. What Hardy is doing is playing on while he battles stage 4 stomach cancer. I dont necessarily think Ive accepted that this is going on and what fate has dealt me, Hardy said. His family doesnt doubt that hell be ready for whatever is next. His distraction that day was WashU baseballs trip to the College World Series. United States. Still, Justinwho was the second-leading scorer on his college teamtold the outlet that "there was no piece of me that was going to half-ass this" in following his passion for basketball. "In place of flowers, we encourage donations to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe. RIP JH. 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. He transitioned from walks around the block to runs around the neighborhood. After a 13-month battle with Stage 4 stomach cancer, former St. Charles East star basketball player Justin Hardy has died, according to a statement posted by his family on Twitter. At some point I had to come to terms, Hardy told Stu Durando, basketball reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Hardys story went viral after he was spotlighted on ESPNs College GameDay. He was 22. Former Washington University basketball player Justin Hardy leaves a legacy of selflessness and optimism An anonymous donor recently pledged $500,000 to endow the Justin Hardy Courage Fund to support the wellbeing and development of scholar athletes at Wash. U. by Gaby Mendoza June 13, 2022 6:00 AM Expand The team had advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. At that point, no one knew what was wrong. He was 22. If theres anyone built to beat this, its Hardy.. But he did take the court one final time during the Bears final regular season gameagainst UAA rival University of Chicago. In his own words: If you want to win, just give me the ball.'. Hardy continued to play for the WashU basketball team while undergoing treatment for cancer, as well as working towards a double major in accounting and finance. Eventually, Hardy did have to miss games as the cancer and a new therapy took a toll. From the moment he stepped foot on this campus, he has been a pillar both on and off the floor. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Washington University basketball player Justin Hardy recently passed away at the age of 22. He lost 50 pounds and resigned himself to sitting out his final season. The sadness was really tough at first just because I felt my life was kind of closing in on me, Hardy told Cusumano in this piece, which aired January 17. Hardy is a numbers guy. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. For Justin, lets make this shot go around the world one more time. An amazing story about Olin alum and WashU athlete Justin Hardy, BSBA 21, is making the rounds. Hardy came to the Athletic Complex on Oct. 15, the first day of practice, with his jersey on. Hardy also regained his starting job for the Bears. Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Obituary: Justin Hardy, recent Olin graduate, Bears basketball player,22. And there wasnt going to be all the things that I loved in my life. His wondrous basketball skills were the tip of the glorious Iceberg of what it meant to be Justin Hardy. In April, Hardy was surrounded by his teammates when he received the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award in New Orleans. Off it, he's fighting for his life. If I want to live life, I have to choose to put my best foot forward and attack it with a positive mentality. 4 in the country.. The average age of diagnosis in stomach cancer is 68, and Justin is a 21-year-old athlete with seemingly everything going for him. It was growing pains for him, but by the fourth game of the season, he had a mental switch flip. He was just 22. 1:12 169K views 37 404 3,000 Justin Hardy Retweeted Duke Men's Basketball In place of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Hardy Strong Scholarship for high school graduates. You have the worst thing possible happening, and you get to experience the thing that brings the most joy. The community also came together to donate more than $100,000 to Hardys GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses and launch the HardyStrong Scholarship. Park said his tumor is undergoing genomic testing to determine if a treatment more specific to Hardys cancer might be helpful. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Justin Hardy, BSBA 21, plays WashU basketball while fighting stage 4 stomach cancer. More details will be provided soon," Hardy's father, Bob, wrote on Twitter. Please ask the Lord God to heal you. However, he had to skip his games when cancer and a new therapy took over and he entered the final regular-season game at Washington University. We have the right to remove comments which are offensive, contains abusive language, or violates other rules of the website, Justin Hardy: College player dies after battling advanced cancer on and off the court. To respond to even the toughest of circumstances with the strength and courage that Justin did. They are 12-1 on the season and are ranked No. I find it fascinating and scary at the same time, she said. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. Despite having Stage 4 stomach cancer, Justin Hardy is the second-leading scorer for. You are an inspiration. I felt like most of things were gone and I was finished playing basketball.. But now, he has no idea what happens after he finishes his chemotherapy treatment. Hes relentlessly supportive of his friends in their successes like his former roommate Caleb Durbin. The summer included a surgery during which heated chemotherapy drugs were injected directly to the tumor site. He was 22 years old. 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. Juckem hadnt considered the possibility, but still, the news didnt really surprise him. BA @McKinsey | IEMS @Northwestern '22. Mizzou (22-8, 10-7 Southeastern Conference) didn't take its first lead until 97 seconds were left in the game but with the victory stayed alive for a top-four seed in next week's SEC . The post read: After 13 months of redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning.. He graduated in December after just three and a half years, refusing to take a lighter load to accommodate the busy schedule of basketball. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the HardyStrong Scholarship. 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. Justin Hardy, the Washington University in St. Louis basketball forward whose courage inspired players and fans nationwide, died Sunday, May 29, 2022, of stomach cancer. Meanwhile, Hardy has moved forward with the basketball season, trying to normalize life as much as possible. He majored in accounting and finance, which means that he cant ignore the odds that were given to him. Incredible. Hardy got the news of his cancer last April. Patriots receiver Mohamed Sanu is one of Meadows's regulars. You have to live your life. The remarkable Justin Hardy who inspired all those who knew him and his courageous story passed away today, his family says. Sometimes you see patients who are unrealistically positive. 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. He was an inspiration and he will be missed. 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. There are people who search for that their entire life and never find it, but thats the best way to describe that kid.. Justin Hardy, a former St. Charles East and Washington University basketball player, is pictured at the Saints' Hoops for Hope game in Hardy's honor in February. Justin Hardy at his December 2021 graduation. Washington University student-athlete Justin Hardy died of stomach cancer Sunday morning after a year in which he refused to allow a stage 4 diagnosis to get in the way of his goals. In May, sports announcer Dick Vitale paid tribute to Hardy at his annual gala to raise money for cancer research. Latest on WR Justin Hardy including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on NFL.com . But ultimately, he felt like telling his story could have a powerful and positive impact on a lot of people, Nolan said. He got to the point where he was doing the same exercises as his teammates, and a month later, teammate David Windley looked over to see Hardy outlifting him. ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, built a relationship with Hardy. When ESPN journalist Gene Wojciechowski learned of Hardys remarkable season, he traveled to St. Louis to profile him for ESPNs College GameDay. The story opened with Hardy sitting at a laptop writing a letter to himself. He graduated in December with a degree in business administration and resumed tutoring students in subjects such as calculus and statistics. for Major League Baseballs Atlanta Braves while also supporting them in their struggles. 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. Its not about me: thats our team motto this year, said Hardy. She keeps tabs on her younger brother, who she considers the equivalent of a twin. At the beginning of the season, Hardys teammates thought that best-case scenario, he might practice with the team. It's usually not curable, but it's considered treatable. His compromised immune system would be susceptible to COVID. Justin Hardy, the Washington University in St. Louis basketball forward whose courage inspired players and fans nationwide, died Sunday, May 29, 2022, of stomach cancer. But one day in late March, he opened his eyes from a nap and felt shooting stomach pains. We feel Justins presence all of the time, Juckem said. He learned last spring that he had Stage 4 stomach cancer, a devastating and rare diagnosis for someone so young. That's because it's no longer confined to the stomach and may involve several distant organs. His high school coach opened up the gym and let him shoot around with the younger players. "After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning," his father, Bob Hardy, wrote on Twitter. Justin Hardy, the Washington University in St. Louis basketball forward whose courage inspired players and fans nationwide, died Sunday, May 29, 2022, of stomach cancer. He was 22. RIP Justin Hardy. Hes tolerating the treatments really well, and that allows us to give him more treatment, Dr. Park said. Hardy said he occasionally does some Internet research on his cancer but realizes that can be a dangerous path to travel. Hardy underwent surgery last summer and recovered well to start the basketball season in November. Hardy was the school's second leading scorer in the Division III NCAA tournament. The Washington University men's basketball forward couldn't run up and down the basketball court three times. Hardys treatment days are long and usually scheduled for a Monday or Tuesday so that hes feeling well by the end of the week to play in games. Athletes have come back after dealing with cancer, but how many play through the treatment? Sure, his doctor said. For those of us who know Justin, we werent really that surprised with his will, his toughness and determination, Juckem said. "This is me living my life regardless of the circumstances.". 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. With a dribble and a yell, he dunked against Wesleyans all-American center. In mid-August, he didnt have enough power to get the ball from the three point line to the rim. None of his teammates were sure if Hardy would return to playing minutes at all after watching him undergo chemotherapy all summer. 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. I am fearless. Hardy grew sicker as the season came to a close and was unable to travel to away games. And this fall, hes fought against every odd to return to WashU beside his teammates to compete at the upper tier of Division III basketball. Hardys coach, Pat Juckem, spoke to the university-run website The Source about Hardys importance to his team. RELATED: 'How can you not be moved? He was 22. Washington University in St. Louis is mourning the loss of basketball player Justin Hardy. Like what we are doing? Jackie Hardy is studying occupational therapy and will do her first clinical rotation soon at the Mayo Clinic. He stated that he took that to heart and thought it was one of the reasons he was able to do all he did. I would definitely say this is number . He finished his collegiate career with 387 receptions, the most of any wide receiver in NCAA history at the time. Many dark days followed the news of a cancer that is diagnosed, on average, at the age of 68. In addition to his son, Justin Hardy was also an athlete and played basketball for WashU. In February, Hardy was featured on ESPNs College GameDay, where he spoke candidly about moving forward despite his terminal diagnosis. St. Louis' Washington University is mourning the loss of basketball player Justin Hardy, who died on Sunday. His game-winning three-point shot to stun St. Charles North that season went viral on Twitter. 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. 2 min read. After days of pain, doctors found a perforated ulcer in his stomach and performed emergency surgery to repair it. There was a problem saving your notification. With basketball now the center of his life, he wants that chance again. Justins story has resonated with so many people at Washington University and beyond, Juckem said. Hes not like that. This is all mind over matter, Hardy typed. Did you encounter any technical issues? Through cancer, Washington U. basketball player shows hes just built different. Its a tough one to swallow.. 2. Justin Hardy. With less than a minute on the clock, Hardy dribbled to the basket, exchanged a knowing smile with Chicagos Bryce Hopkins and scored his last basket. The day before Justin Hardy tested positive for COVID-19, he talked to his sister Jackie, who has been on high alert regarding his health since the day she drove him to an emergency room last April. There was a time I watched him walk upstairs a half a step at a time. Stay strong Justin and God bless. The rest of the scans have been a progression in the opposite direction. 2023 E! Justin Hardy: Leaving Atlanta Rotowire Mar 16, 2020 Hardy won't re-sign with the Falcons, instead becoming an unrestricted free agent Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta. Hardy now looks to regain an elite position in WWE, and he revealed the list . There will be plenty more great days to come. This is my life now and one day it changed forever. Until he missed Fridays game at Emory University. "After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning," Justin's father, Bob, wrote on Twitter. I never got the chance to meet Justin Hardy but he and is family live in my neighborhood. Justin Hardy, a 2018 St. Charles East graduate and former Kane County Chronicle Player of the Year, has gone public about his Stage IV stomach cancer diagnosis. I dont know how else to describe him.. whom he married in 2003. Hardy was diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer in April 2021 but continued to play for the school after undergoing treatment. Justin lived like he played basketball, meeting each moment with uncommon determination and hope, Martin said. This type of cancer is harder to treat than earlier stage stomach cancer. Sure, he knew that his roommate and teammate Justin Hardy wasnt feeling well, but he dismissed it as just strange timing. Thank you Justin for sharing your life story with us. All things NFL players are looking for. The 22-year-old college basketball player from St. Charles, Illinois, who passed away . Last chance! A portion of the contributions will be put towards the HardyStrong Scholarship, a fund for high school graduates competing athletically in college. Our community is forever changed by his legacy of love and strength.. When Hardy first started practicing with the team in October, he couldnt dunk he couldnt get the ball over the rim. Hardy is survived by his parents, Bob and Karen Hardy; sister, Jackie Hardy; and brother, Nathan Hardy. I want to embrace the moment I am living in. He was named first-teamAll-UAA (University Athletic Association) and second-team NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) All-District 8. Hardy then went on to play at Washington University in St. Louis, where he stayed even following his graduation last December. Death (Photo by Pixabay) How, after a life-changing diagnosis, he became a better person, a better friend and a better teammate. He worried the attention would add further pain for his family and closest friends. But doctors cleared him to play. But this is a remarkable story of courage and positive thinking. He showed us what it means to be others focused what it means to be a great teammate. 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.. We communicated via text for the last month & I just learned he lost his battle to stomach cancer .We paid tribute to Justin at our Gala & his Coach told our crowd about his COURAGEOUS battle .May Justin RIP! Diagnosed in April 2021, Hardy completed a summer internship, tutored students in the fall, graduated in December a semester early and recovered from 22 kilos of weight loss to play college basketball. display: none !important; Everyone on the team, regardless of age we all see him as just a superhero, Windley said. True inspiration, Prayers for Justins family. I know you are a very strong minded young man and you want to live. School, Executive MBA and Professional Development. He lost 50 pounds and resigned himself to sitting out his final season. An amazing story about Olin alum and WashU athlete Justin Hardy, BSBA '21, is making the rounds. All Rights Reserved. "After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live. He missed the teams two NCAA Tournament games. Hes still living with his best friends and bringing out his competitiveness in games of Hearts. Two years ago, the team had advanced to the Sweet 16 when COVID ended the season with much for which still to play. 3 Bears early-season, 13-game winning streak. The news of a cancer that is diagnosed, on average, at the Mayo Clinic analyst Dick Vitale tribute... Basketball season in November also an athlete and played basketball for WashU had Stage 4 stomach inspired. Were given to him, stats, videos, highlights and more on NFL.com and scary at the beginning the. 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