November 3, 2014 | Combined Reports - UConn Communications

Jasper Howard Memorial Dedicated at Rentschler Field

At UConn’s Homecoming game Saturday, the University dedicated a memorial in honor of slain football student-athlete Jasper Howard.

A memorial in honor of slain football student-athlete Jasper Howard, who lost his life five years ago, is unveiled by his family members at Rentschler Stadium during half-time of the Homecoming game against the University of Central Florida. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)

A memorial in honor of slain football student-athlete Jasper Howard, who lost his life five years ago, is unveiled by his family members at Rentschler Stadium during half-time of the Homecoming game against the University of Central Florida. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)

A memorial in honor of slain football student-athlete Jasper Howard, who lost his life five years ago, is unveiled by his family members at Rentschler Stadium during half-time of the Homecoming game against the University of Central Florida. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)
A memorial in honor of slain football student-athlete Jasper Howard, who lost his life five years ago, is unveiled by his family members at Rentschler Stadium during half-time of the Homecoming game against the University of Central Florida. (Stephen Slade ’89 (SFA) for UConn)

At UConn’s Homecoming game Saturday, the University dedicated a memorial in honor of a slain football student-athlete who lost his life five years ago, just hours after playing in a winning matchup on the same field.

It was an inspiring day, as the Huskies topped University of Central Florida by a 37-29 score.

Jasper Howard died on Oct. 18, 2009, following the Homecoming game against Louisville at Rentschler Field. During the game, Howard, a cornerback from Miami, Fla., had recorded a career-high 11 tackles and a fumble recovery.

More than 30 members of the Howard family made the journey from Florida, including his mother and stepfather Joangila Howard and Henry Williams, his sisters Keyondra Duncombe and Jasmine Howard, his fiancée Daneisha Freeman, and his daughter Ja’Miya Howard.

Many of Howard’s teammates also attended the game, and two of his closest friends – Kashif Moore and Andre Dixon – took part in the unveiling ceremony for the memorial that bears the number six, his number at UConn.

The late Jasper Howard's fiancéee Daneisha Freeman and daughter Ja'Miya Howard join three members of the football team on the field during halftime of the Homecoming game against Central Florida on Nov. 1. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)
The late Jasper Howard’s fiancée Daneisha Freeman and daughter Ja’Miya Howard join three members of the football team on the field during halftime of the Homecoming game against Central Florida on Nov. 1. (Stephen Slade ’89 (SFA) for UConn)

Funds for the statue were raised in a grassroots fashion with the efforts spearheaded by UConn supporters Dan and Lisa Lowry of Prospect, Conn. The lead gift for the memorial came from former UConn head football coach Randy Edsall, who was Howard’s coach with the Huskies. Donations also came from former Husky student-athletes and fans from around the country.

“Jasper Howard represented everything that is good about college athletics,” said Edsall. “He loved being a student-athlete at UConn. His tragic death had a bonding reaction with the entire UConn community that none of us will ever forget for the rest of our lives.”

The memorial, bearing Howard’s quote “Play each play like it’s the last play you will ever play,” was dedicated at halftime of UConn’s game against UCF.

“I want to thank everyone in the UConn family who made this memorial to the life of Jasper a reality,” said Warde Manuel, UConn director of athletics. “I especially want to recognize our friends Dan and Lisa Lowry, who came up with the concept for the memorial and worked tirelessly to raise the funds that made it possible.”

Funds will continue to be raised for the Jasper T. Howard Endowed Scholarship Fund at UConn, which is presented annually to a cornerback on the Husky football team who best embodies the qualities of Howard. Information on how to contribute to that fund is available online.