Community honors a fallen Husky

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.

"I told that young man, you have to speak for yourself, now tell me something about your upbringing," Price said. "He went on to share how hard his mom had worked to raise him and his sisters, and how much he wanted to give back to them and make life easier for them."

Price shared that Howard missed her class on Monday, Oct. 12, Columbus Day, and that she had planned to give him a hard time the following week. Like everyone else, Price had no idea what was in store for him the following Sunday.

"And then that next week, what happened, that changed us for the rest of our lives," Price said.

Howard's family members, who had returned to Storrs for the first time since the funeral, were presented with several tokens of appreciation from those who knew Howard best.

Price, on behalf of the African American Cultural Center, presented Howard's mother Joangila with a shawl traditionally given to members of the cultural center upon their graduation from the university. Thomas Haggery and Leah Albini, USG president and vice president, presented Mrs. Howard with a Statement of Position Honoring the Life of Jasper T. Howard. This piece of legislation was passed unanimously at an Oct. 29 USG Senate meeting and lauded Howard for his accomplishments on and off the field, and his impact on the university.

Closing remarks were given by Edsall, who had a few things of his own for the Howard family.

"So may things have come through our office since Jazz passed away but there were a few things that stood out to me as being really special, things that the family should have," Edsall said.

Edsall then told the story of a seven-year-old boy from West Virginia who attended their game against UConn the week after Howard's death and was so moved by the team's tribute to the fallen Husky that he decided to make one of his own. The young boy drew a picture with Howard's away and home jerseys, a football field, a cross and the words "Rest in peace Jasper".

"He was so inspired he felt the need to sit down and draw this picture," read a note the boy's father included with the drawing. "It may not be the best artistically but it's straight from the heart."

Last but not least, Edsall had a special gift he had received in the mail just days before. At UConn's 30-22 at Baylor on Sept. 19 members of the 118th Medical Batallion out of Newington were on hand from Fort Hood to see their state university play on the gridiron. In addition to presenting the colors prior to the game, the soldiers were allowed to come into the locker room and celebrate the win with the Huskies. On behalf of Howard, the 118th Medical Batallion presented his mother Joangila with an American flag, which was flown over a US military base in Iraq on Oct. 26. The flag, along with a letter from the unit's commanding officer, was given to Mrs. Howard on Thursday night.

While Edsall and the others admitted that the university was in the process of moving on from the loss and that it was what Howard would have wanted, he made it clear that Howard's memory and spirit would live on.

"We love you, and we'll always love you," Edsall said. "Your little girl has 105 uncles to take care of her. We're going to stick together and stay in touch. We're going to keep this bond together and keep this flame burning."