INSTITUTE, W.Va. - After the untimely death of West Virginia State linebacker Jyilek Harrington Wednesday evening, Carson-Newman and WVSU have mutually agreed to postpone their scheduled contest.
Instead of kicking off at 6 p.m. Thursday, Carson-Newman and WVSU will play at noon Friday.
Both teams will be holding a private vigil Thursday night.
All online tickets sold for Thursday's game will be accepted for entry Friday. Any ticket holders that are unable to attend the game can contact the sports information office at West Virginia State to receive equal online
credits to the number of purchased tickets that will be good for tickets to any home football game this season, with the exception of the homecoming game against Concord on Oct. 12. Unfortunately, WVSU cannot offer
cash or credit card refunds.
Harrington's 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 Yellowjacket football team. Before Friday's football game between the two school's a moment of silence will be held to honor him.
Furthermore, Carson-Newman will leave its 31 jersey empty - the number Harrington wore while with C-N. Gavin Stinson has shed the number in favor of 24. The 31 jersey will be displayed on C-N's sideline in Harrington's honor.
"Carson-Newman joins West Virginia State in mourning the untimely passing of former student athlete Jyilek 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 Jyilek 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.
The game change does alter Carson-Newman's broadcast. Airtime on the Eagle Sports Network is set for 11 a.m. with the AEC Tailgate Show. The game willl air on Que Buena 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
