The Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse program is considering several ways to pay tribute to Jeremy Huber, the freshman defenseman who was found dead in his dorm Monday morning.
One gesture entails ensuring that no player will wear Huber's No. 19 jersey for the next four years, until his freshman class graduates, coach Dave Pietramala said Thursday.
"Jeremy is going to remain on our roster, he is going to remain in our media guide, and he is going to remain on our website until his class graduates," Pietramala said, adding that he consulted with Huber's parents, Robert and Nancy. "I know they are very thankful for that."
Huber was a salutatorian at West Career and Technical Academy in Las Vegas and was interested in studying cognitive science. He was 18.
The university is holding a candlelight vigil to honor Huber on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Homewood Field. Pietramala and members of the team are expected to attend, and Pietramala might speak at the ceremony.
It was Pietramala who had the unenviable task of calling Robert and Nancy Huber on Monday morning and informing them of their eldest son's death.
"It's the toughest thing that I've ever had to deal with as a coach," Pietramala said of the past few days. "It's the toughest thing our staff has ever had to deal with. I can't sit here and say that it's the toughest thing our players have had to deal with because some of them unfortunately have dealt with this before and lost a close friend. I know it's the greatest challenge we've had to deal with as a lacrosse team and a lacrosse program since I've arrived at Johns Hopkins [after the 2000 season]. And the reason for that is, these kids have suffered the tragic loss of their close friend.
"Our staff has lost a young man that we had a tremendous affinity for. As you know there's no book for this. There's no book that says, 'Here's how you do it. Here's how you handle it.' Every individual handles these things differently, and it's been a challenge. It's a challenge we will overcome, and the way we'll overcome it is by the strength we're seeing from the Huber family. They are truly amazing people, and we're going to take their lead, and we're going to do what they're doing, and we're all going to be together, we're going to bond together and take care of one another and hopefully grow and come together in a really challenging situation."
The team canceled Saturday's scrimmage with Loyola Maryland and will participate in its first official practice of the year on Thursday afternoon. It's an opportunity for the players to put aside their grief even just for a brief time, Pietramala said.
"Today will be the first day that we go out there together, and we're going to keep it simple," he said. "We're going to do some stickwork and shooting and do some things right now that are fun, that the guys will enjoy. We're hoping that being back out there will bring a sense of normalcy back and a sense of enjoyment in a very challenging time."
Homicide detectives do not suspect foul play in Huber's death, and a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the investigation into the cause of his death is still ongoing.
"He had a swollen tonsil and was in the ER Friday night," Huber's mother said Wednesday. "That's all we know."