The city of Kent, as well as Mayor Jerry Fiala officially proclaimed April 19 “Devin Moore Day”: the same day students decided to raise money for his scholarship.

The Psi Gamma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held the Devin C.G. Moore 3-on-3 Basketball Classic at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center Saturday to raise money for the Devin C.G. Moore Memorial Scholarship fund.

Moore’s family started the fund to keep his legacy alive.

“Devin was passionate about pursuing a career in journalism,” said Christa Poole, Moore’s mother. “He was fearless. He didn’t care what people had to say about him doing it. We want to encourage that. We want other students who have a dream to follow that dream.”

Moore died in December after collapsing while playing basketball at the Rec.

Guests stood on the sidelines and benches and watched from the track as 10 teams played basketball in honor of Moore.

Moore played basketball and wanted to be a sports journalist, so his fraternity brothers felt it would only be right to raise money by doing what he loved.

“This (the Rec) is where he died, and this is where he spent a lot of time,” said sophomore construction management major and fraternity member T’Aundre Perkins. “This is really the only place I feel connected to Dev.”

The teams registered to compete in the tournament, and all proceeds went toward the scholarship fund in hopes of it being endowed in the future. “Live like Dev” T-shirts and wristbands saying “#DevinTheGoat” were also sold to raise money.

“We’re currently at $19,000, and we need to raise $25,000 to get it endowed so it can be a forever thing,” Poole said. “We just gave away $1,000 at the scholarship dinner, and it was so rewarding to know someone else will be able to live out their dream.”

The scholarship and events dedicated toward Moore ensure that people not only don’t forget Moore’s legacy, but are also aware of healthy practices.

Alexis Hudgins, a senior integrated health studies major and Moore’s former girlfriend, wants Moore’s remembrance to last forever on the Kent State campus.

“Devin was such an important person,” Hudgins said. “It’s been so amazing helping out the brothers of Omega Psi Phi with everything going on. I want this to be an ongoing way for us to raise money for Devin and keep his presence on this campus. This is hopefully going to be an annual thing along with CPR training.”

Sophomore biology major Caleb Harris’ team took home the winning trophy which included a plaque and a shirt. Each member of the team also received $50.

“It was really dope doing this, and I’m happy to win,” Harris said. “We will always be out here doing it for Dev.”

Erica Carter is the Diversity reporter. Contact her at [email protected].