DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Mike Glover #1 of the Iona Gaels reacts from the bench late in the second half while taking on the Brigham Young Cougars in the first round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2012 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Incoming Iona forward Michael Haynes was shot dead on the South Side of Chicago on Thursday night. He was 22 years old.
According to those familiar with the incident, the shooting took place after Haynes tried to break up a fight related to a necklace.
A necklace.
Sometimes you just have to shake your head because there are no words to say how ridiculous that is. Someone lost their life because of a necklace.
Haynes' road to Iona was a complicated one, through three Chicago high schools, a prep school, a commitment to UTEP and then junior college.
But he never gave up on getting to play basketball as a way to help his family out.
""He was an innocent victim, very loved by everybody," his cousin Kandice Blouin told the Chicago Sun-Times. "He was our meal ticket. He was going to heal this hood and they took his life."
The MAAC and Iona associate head coach Jared Grasso both expressed their sorrow on Twitter over the loss of Haynes.
Sad day...Mike Haynes was a great kid with a big heart. Just wanted a chance to get his degree, play ball, and better his life.
— Jared Grasso (@JGras11) July 27, 2012
He was taken from us way too soon! R.I.P Mike! You will be missed, but never forgotten here at Iona!
— Jared Grasso (@JGras11) July 27, 2012
Mid-Major Madness will bring you more details as they are released.
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