North Carolina mascot in extremely critical condition
More than two dozen family members and friends held a bedside vigil yesterday for Jason Ray, the North Carolina student who suits up as the school's mascot who was in extremely critical condition after being hit by a sport utility vehicle.
The 21-year-old senior remained on life support at Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center, 2 days after he was struck near his hotel in Fort Lee. Ray, who portrays UNC's ram mascot, Rameses, was in New Jersey for the NCAA Tournament game between the Tar Heels and Southern California at the Continental Airlines Arena.
Ray's father, Emmitt, who flew to New Jersey in a friend's private plane after getting word of his son's life-threatening head injuries, said doctors hold out little hope for his son's recovery "short of the intervention of the Lord."
Ray left his hotel to go to a nearby convenience store Friday afternoon, and was walking back along Route 4 when he was struck from behind by an SUV. The driver stopped immediately to call 911.
No charges have been filed.
Adam Lucas, an assistant sports information director, said that performing at games was only one of many things Ray enjoyed doing as a mascot. Ray is among a group of students who perform as the mascot, something he has done for about 3 years.
"He just truly enjoyed the role and doing whatever he could to help," Lucas said in a telephone interview at halftime of North Carolina's East Regional final matchup with Georgetown, a game the Tar Heels eventually lost, 96-84, in overtime.
Police said Gagik Hovsepyan, 51, the driver who hit Ray, had a valid driver's license and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. His son was asleep in the SUV at the time, police said.
Noteworthy
* Gonzaga assistant Bill Grier, 43, was hired as head basketball coach at the University of San Diego. He will be introduced at a news conference today. He replaces Brad Holland, who was fired on March 8 after 13 years at the West Coast Conference school. *
