‘Beamed With Positivity’: Worcester College Remembers Beloved Student-Athlete

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester college is mourning the loss of one of its student-athletes.

Amanda Mack, a junior and volleyball student-athlete at the College of the Holy Cross, died Wednesday following an illness, the school's athletic department announced Friday. She was 20.

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Mack died after battling severe aplastic anemia, a rare bone marrow disorder in which the body stops producing enough new blood cells, according to a joint social media post from Kara Hill of VBallRecruiter. Hill said she had known Mack since she was 12 and worked with her through the volleyball recruiting process beginning when Mack was 13.

A GoFundMe was created to help Mack's family with medical expenses, which totaled about $5 million, according to the fundraiser.

"Amanda was a loving daughter, friend, and teammate who lit up every room she walked into. She beamed with positivity and was deeply passionate about life," the GoFundMe said. "Her warmth and kindness made her someone people loved being around, and her presence brought joy to those who knew her."

Remembering Amanda Mack

Mack enrolled at Holy Cross this summer after being recruited to play volleyball but was unable to join the team on campus at the start of the academic year, the school said.

Head volleyball coach Matthew Cribbin said Mack brought "enthusiasm and passion" to the program and worked hard to accomplish significant goals.

"She was so excited to put on the Holy Cross jersey and help create something memorable in our program," Cribbin said. "Her battle was enormous, and she never wavered, always looking forward to being back with her team. We carry her in our hearts and will play to honor her every day."

The college held moments of silence in Mack's honor before two volleyball matches and a football game over the weekend.

Holy Cross will also remember Mack during a Mass at 9 p.m. on Monday, in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. The Mass is open to the public.

The college also said chaplains and counseling services are available to students.