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Remembering Alisa Lewis Friends, family, and teammates pay tribute to Alisa Lewis (Cathy Cockrell photo)

Remembering Alisa Lewis

– Family, friends, coaches, and teammates of Cal women's basketball player Alisa Lewis gathered at Haas Pavilion Thursday to pay tribute to No. 31 – a beloved athlete who, as one player put it, "made her team better because of her determination."

Alisa Lewis
Alisa Marie Lewis
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A star forward in high school who came to Cal on an athletic scholarship, Lewis was remembered for a strong work ethic both on the court and in the classroom. "As a player she gave her best every day. As a student she was determined to graduate from Cal," head coach Caren Horstmeyer said of the Cal junior, who died Jan. 19 at Oakland's Kaiser Medical Center of bacterial meningitis.

With Lewis' name and the number 31 illuminating the scoreboards above Newell Court, speakers at the noontime memorial, attended by more than 1,000 people, recalled a young woman who loved The Lion King, children, Saturday-morning cartoons, and the color pink – which many wore in remembrance. Lewis's warmth, optimism, energy, and infectious smile were repeated themes, as was the strength of her family.

On behalf of the university, Horstmeyer presented a framed jersey and the team presented an autographed basketball to Lewis' parents, Joe and Diane. "Alisa's mother told me that there's a basketball court in heaven and Alisa is on it," said Horstmeyer.

With the family's blessings, the women's team decided to play USC, as scheduled, in Los Angeles on January 23. The team will wear black strips with pink lettering, and the phrase "A.L. 31," on their jerseys.

A scholarship will be established in Lewis's name.

Memorial service for Alisa Lewis
Exchanging memories of Alisa Lewis. (Cathy Cockrell photo)
 
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