Sports : UCM
Jennies family saddened by former player's death
Mar 9, 2010, 1:47 PM
By CHRIS GUMP
The University of Central Missouri Jennies basketball family was shocked by the death of a former player Sunday.
Tamara Vincent, a UCM Jennies basketball player from 2005-2007, was killed in a single-car accident in Kansas City early Sunday morning.
Vincent, the lone occupant in the car, was traveling east on I-70 near the I-435 interchange, when she veered off the road and struck a pole at 3:47 a.m., according to Kansas City police. Fire consumed the vehicle, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jennies coach Dave Slifer said Vincent was on hand to root the Jennies on as they advanced to the championship game of the MIAA Tournament last week.
"She stayed around after each game and gave me a big hug and said good job," Slifer said. "Just full of life, and it just doesn’t seem possible that she’s not now."
Vincent, 25, was a graduate of Olathe East High School and played at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College before arriving at UCM.
Her older sister Tiffany also played for UCM.
On the court, Tamara developed a meaningful role as a defensive stopper off the bench. She played in 24 of 28 games on the 2006-2007 squad and averaged 2.8 points in 12.2 minutes per game.
Slifer said Vincent was a great teammate during her time at UCM.
"Great big smile, a heart of gold, got along with everybody," Slifer said. "She was at our two games at the conference tournament just this weekend, and I am very stunned and saddened by the loss."
A memorial service for Vincent will be held March 20 at Blue Ridge Baptist Temple in Kansas City. The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. with the funeral to follow.
Tamara Vincent, a UCM Jennies basketball player from 2005-2007, was killed in a single-car accident in Kansas City early Sunday morning.
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| Tamara Vincent, who played for the Jennies from 2005-2007, was killed in an accident Sunday. |
Jennies coach Dave Slifer said Vincent was on hand to root the Jennies on as they advanced to the championship game of the MIAA Tournament last week.
"She stayed around after each game and gave me a big hug and said good job," Slifer said. "Just full of life, and it just doesn’t seem possible that she’s not now."
Vincent, 25, was a graduate of Olathe East High School and played at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College before arriving at UCM.
Her older sister Tiffany also played for UCM.
On the court, Tamara developed a meaningful role as a defensive stopper off the bench. She played in 24 of 28 games on the 2006-2007 squad and averaged 2.8 points in 12.2 minutes per game.
Slifer said Vincent was a great teammate during her time at UCM.
"Great big smile, a heart of gold, got along with everybody," Slifer said. "She was at our two games at the conference tournament just this weekend, and I am very stunned and saddened by the loss."
A memorial service for Vincent will be held March 20 at Blue Ridge Baptist Temple in Kansas City. The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. with the funeral to follow.
