INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- Carson-Newman and its football team joins West Virginia State's Athletic Department and football program in mourning the loss of Jyilek Harrington, whose life was lost Wednesday evening during an incident that occurred off campus. The incident is currently being investigated by law enforcement as a home invasion and homicide.

Harrington played for Carson-Newman last season before transferring to WVSU.  Harrington was a senior member of the Yellow Jacket football team. Before Thursday night's football game between the two school's a moment of silence will be held to honor him.

"Carson-Newman joins West Virginia State in mourning the untimely passing of former student athlete Jyliek Harrington," Carson-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope said. "The Harrington family and the Yellowjackets' campus community are in our prayers. News like this is sad to hear anytime, but today it feels worse with two teams who knew him coming together to play." 

Harrington played in six games last season for C-N, registering seven tackles.  

"This was tragic and awful news to receive this morning," C-N head football coach Ashley Ingram said. "We join with West Virginia State in mourning the passing of Jyliek Harrington. We will encourage and lift them up in their time of tragedy." 

He was WVSU's second-leading tackler in the Yellowjackets' week one win over Barton.  

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Jyilek's family as they mourn the loss of this incredible young man," WVSU President Ericke S. Cage said in a letter to students and faculty.  "In remembrance of Jyilek, and in support of our football team, I am encouraging all students, faculty and staff to attend tonight's football game at 6 p.m. against Carson-Newman University, where Jyilek also once played."

"Jyilek truly embodied what it means to be a student-athlete and was a leader not only on campus but in the community. Jyilek was a young man that, during Christmas, would create a GoFundMe to help less fortunate families," WVSU Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nate Burton said. "The athletic department is creating a fund in memory of Jyilek and all donations will be distributed to an organization in his hometown of Charlotte to continue his work."

To donate to the Jyilek Harrington Memorial Fund, please visit https://give.wvstateu.edu/JyilekHarrington.