INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Joel Cornette let everyone see his passion every day.
He demonstrated it on the basketball court by knocking over a water cooler during Butler’s 2003 NCAA Tournament run to the Sweet 16 or soaring over a sea of players for a game-winning dunk against Indiana in 2001. He proved it off the court with his unbridled love for his school, his teammates and fellow Bulldog alums.
Early Tuesday, the 35-year-old Cornette was found dead in a Chicago apartment, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. The office said after an autopsy that the cause and manner of death were pending further studies.
Butler issued a news release saying the Cornette family “has confirmed that their beloved son and brother, Joel, passed away early this morning ...” and stating they believe he died of natural causes.
“They are shocked and devastated by this news,” the release said.
Butler has lost another powerful ambassador in Cornette, who played a key role in Butler’s transition from rising mid-major program to NCAA Tournament regular and eventually to national contender.
In four seasons, Cornette scored 1,100 points, grabbed 721 rebounds, played on teams that compiled a record of 100-30 and helped Butler reach its first Sweet 16 in 41 years. He was the first player in school history to score 1,000 points and celebrate 100 victories, and his 144 career blocks and field goal percent of 54.4 are still among the school’s top 10.
After graduating in 2003, Cornette returned to the program as director of basketball operations in 2006-07.
The next year, he followed coach Todd Lickliter to Iowa.
Cornette coached with the Hawkeyes for three seasons, then joined Priority Sports & Entertainment as the director of basketball recruiting in 2012.
Funeral arrangements were pending.