In February 1996, Rameses XXIII was killed in his pasture at the Hogan farm. "He embodied all of the qualities you would want in a team member. But mourning among basketball fans is centered around the recent death of the school's mascot, Jason Ray. Jason was a senior at North Carolina, where before home football and … Ray died Monday morning as a result of sustained injuries from a car accident three days earlier. Wade was later charged with misdemeanor anim… Police later charged 26-year-old Scott Wade. Now he’s alive because Jason Ray, the only child Charlotte and Emmitt had together, died 10 years ago on Sunday. In both basketball games and Christian fellowship, Ray left an impression of high energy and pure joy. Amid anticipation for NCAA's most watched games next week, UNC students and family members are preparing for Saturday's memorial service for Ray, who was known on campus as Rameses the Ram. Please click here to learn how. Do you want award-winning journalism with a, 30 Bible translation projects suspended in Nigeria amid pandemic, terrorism, Lakewood Church returns to in-person worship after 7 months, Evangelical Swiss missionary executed after terrorists held her hostage for 4 years, Michigan pastor leaves church over Trump support: Christians ‘abandoned’ role of holding president accountable, Sex slavery, human trafficking by Iran's ruling regime must be exposed, Faith-Filled Coaches Emerge from March Madness, Calling All Christians for the Health of Our Nation, Transforming Young Lives in India Partner, Qualifying for Social Security Spousal Benefits, Christians can abstain from voting because ‘voting lesser of two evils is still evil,’ Fred Price Jr. says, Chris Rice, well-known CCM singer faces ‘credible’ allegations of sexual assault, Christian leaders react to Joe Biden's support for 8-y-o kids identifying as transgender, 4 takeaways from Trump and Biden town hall discussions, 'Pro-life evangelicals for Biden' is a monumental ethical failure, Justin Bieber gives emotional performance of ‘Holy’ on 'SNL' featuring Chance the Rapper, ‘2 Hearts’ actor Adan Canto says new movie speaks to value of life, family, New film 'Never Again' shows horrors of rising anti-Semitism: 'It hasn't just gone away', Hollywood filmmaker says ‘faith is what should keep us going’ in 2020; releases new movie '2 Hearts', Injured Cowboys QB Dak Prescott trusting God, thankful 'that He's my Savior'. UNC Mascot Dies Amid March Madness By Nathan Black, Christian Post Reporter Follow The University of North Carolina lost its chance at reaching the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. Join over 250,000 others to get the top stories curated daily, plus special offers! He was a tremendous ambassador of the University of North Carolina. Ray's family will hold a viewing and visitation on Friday at Concord First Assembly, according to InterVarsity's chapter fellowship at UNC. No charges were filed against the driver who police said stopped immediately after the accident to try to help Ray and called 911. "Jason was in East Rutherford for the Division I men's basketball tournament East Regional, where he was to serve as the mascot for the University of North Carolina and be among the thousands of young people who get to be a part of this special event. The 6-foot-5 student was 21 and a senior preparing for graduation in May with a degree in business administration and a minor in religion. An attacker slashed the ram's throat and cut off its left front leg, stabbing it as many as 10 times along its chest and neck. HACKENSACK, N.J. — A father and son from New Jersey have been charged with lying to police about a vehicle accident that killed a University of North Carolina … CHAPEL HILL — February 25, 1996, 5:35 p.m. EST The UNC football team's beloved mascot, a ram named Rameses, was found dead Sunday, victim of a senseless slashing. ", "It was just like pure joy," Humphries said about Ray's laugh, according to The Charlotte Observer. "He leaves behind a legacy of friendship, laughter, excitement for life and a genuine love for all the people he touched during his all-too-short life," said Ray's brother, Allen. Wade stumbled onto the Hogan farm drunk at the time of the slaying. He was struck from behind by a car while walking on a highway shoulder just hours before the UNC Tar Heels faced Georgetown in East Rutherford, N.J. "On behalf of the NCAA and its member institutions, we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Jason Ray," NCAA president Dr. Myles Brand said in a released statement. At the time, Jason Ray was a student and mascot for the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Jason gave Rameses an energy that was unique," said UNC cheerleading coach Brown Walters, according to the university. Investigators believed Wade killed the ram because he was hungry.