Universities Statewide Wear Red In Honor Of Murdered Student

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Students across the state are wearing red in memory of Lauren McCluskey, the University of Utah student athlete murdered on campus Monday.

A campus vigil is also taking place Wednesday at 5 p.m. outside the Park Building in Presidents Circle on the U campus.

Students from BYU, Utah State and Weber State University all wore red in support of Lauren, who was a proud Ute and star athlete for the track and field team. Monday night

The 21-year-old student lost her life Monday in a senseless act of domestic violence.

A tweet by BYU’s student section informed fellow students that BYU athletes will wear red Wednesday and encouraged fellow students to join in.

Our BYU student athletes are wearing RED tomorrow in memory of
Lauren McCluskey.

If you’d like to join, please dress in red to honor this student and the University of Utah. pic.twitter.com/kz7yI0D7TS

— The Roar Of Cougars (@byuROC) October 24, 2018

In expression of our love and support to the McCluskey family and @utahathletics our student-athletes, coaches, and staff are wearing red today. pic.twitter.com/MnNPDQiQbI

— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) October 24, 2018

Our BYU women’s cross country team during morning workout this morning wearing red in memory of Lauren McCluskey. pic.twitter.com/yCtJTfhZvN

— David Almodova (@DKaulana) October 24, 2018

At Weber State, students, coaches and staff wore red and posed in front of purple seats at Stewart Stadium, tweeting “love and support to the McCluskey family.”

To express our love and support to the McCluskey family and @utahathletics our staff, coaches and student athletes are wearing red today. #WeAreWeber #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/n0uM0deKpJ

— Weber State Wildcats (@weberstate) October 24, 2018

Up north, the Aggies also tweeted to wear red in support of Lauren, her family and Utah students.

In a sign of solidarity of the recent events that happened on the @UUtah campus, we ask that students wear red tomorrow, Wednesday the 24th, in support for them and their loss.

— and im USUSA the pumpkin student association (@UtahStateSA) October 23, 2018

“It’s a really hard time for the University of Utah,” said BYU student Christian Dahneke. “Even though we can be rivals sometimes, when it comes down to it, the most important thing is that everyone feels God’s love. I think this is a small token of what we can do to help show that.”

Meanwhile, Runnin’ Utes Vante Hendrix said he and teammates plan on attending the vigil.

“We’re …dressing the same, coming together for Lauren,” Hendrix said. “Even though some people didn’t know her, it still hits you that someone on campus died. I saw her a lot, but she never talked so she was a quiet person. I know she was sweet so for something like that to happen to her, that’s crazy.”

Student Zoe Martin, a freshmen at the U, said she also plans on going.

“I’m from Washington, she’s from Washington, so that hits a little closer to home,” Martin said. “Also it was behind my dorm where my friend and I walk usually. It’s just sad and I want to be there to support her family and friends.”