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Lauren Coke was born to wear Oregon green and yellow. At six weeks old she went with her family to the 2000 Holiday Bowl to watch the Ducks play, and a lifelong attachment was born!
Lauren Emerson Coke was born November 18, 2000, started playing soccer at age four and never stopped. She played all through grade school, middle school, and high school. She travelled the country with her team. She made multiple appearances at Surf Cup in San Diego. Growing up she played numerous sports, including soccer, basketball and track and field. She took her volleyball team to a championship her very first year of playing volleyball in middle school. She was named Female Athlete of the Year in 8th grade. She held many championship trophies and individual honors over her head.
In the classroom, she maintained the rigorous curriculum and work ethic to get into a major university. She never backed down from a challenge---both in the classroom and on the field.
Her team looked to her for leadership and inspiration. Her friends looked to her for advice, comfort and humor. In all aspects, she excelled and persevered. In her very short 18 years of life she left an indelible mark on everyone who met her. She is survived by her father, sister, mother, aunts, uncle, cousins and countless friends.
When it came to applying to college, she had one goal: to go to the University of Oregon. She told her friends that she really only wanted to attend the U of O. It is her father's alma mater, and she visited several times to explore the campus she would soon call home. She had been attending Duck sporting events---no matter the sport---her whole life. When she received the acceptance letter, it was like the stars had aligned. All her hard work in the classroom paid off
Lauren entered the business school and then joined the University of Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center. Prior to her passing, she was researching internships in sports marketing and planning a minor in political science. Lauren was an exceptional student who put all of her passion and effort into everything she did. On October 25, 2019 she died suddenly from viral myocarditis.
To remember, honor and celebrate her, Lauren’s family and the University of Oregon are establishing this scholarship to help other female athletes in women’s soccer, basketball or track and field who are pursuing business majors. Lauren would have been very proud to see her education continue through the dedicated, driven, passionate female athletes who receive this scholarship.
