The University of Tennessee at Martin mourns the loss of Decora Alexander, a dance student-athlete who passed away on Saturday evening. She was 20 years old.

Alexander was majoring in health and human performance during her freshman year at UT Martin. She was part of the 11-member Skyhawk dance squad that regularly entertained the crowds at UT Martin’s home basketball games as well as the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championship tournament held in Evansville, Ind.

“Although Decora was young, she had a strong positive influence on all of her teammates,” Skyhawk head dance coach Jessi Woody said. “She was always working to be a better dancer and wanted to see her teammates grow and succeed with her. She will be greatly missed both on and off the court.”

Before attending UT Martin, Alexander graduated from nearby Union City High School in her hometown of Union City, Tennessee.