Livingstone College Mourns Volleyball Player Kendall Cook After Her Death At 19

Livingstone College is mourning the loss of Kendall Cook, a 19-year-old volleyball player who had recently transferred from Clark Atlanta University and planned to join Livingstone’s women’s volleyball program. Originally from Frankfort, Cook was remembered by teammates, coaches, and community members as a bright, kind, and talented young woman whose warmth and smile left a lasting impact. The cause of her death has not been disclosed.

A former standout volleyball and softball athlete at Frankfort High School, Cook played collegiate volleyball at Clark Atlanta as a 5-foot-9 outside hitter before transferring to Livingstone College. Although her time with the Blue Bears had just begun, the volleyball program emphasized that she had already become part of the Livingstone family, honoring her with the message, “Once a Blue Bear, Always a Blue Bear.”

Clark Atlanta Athletics sends its condolences to Kendall Cook's family and friends. Gone too soon. Please keep Kendall's family in your prayers. 🙏🏾🏐🐾 pic.twitter.com/8mwzPwc1iA

— Clark Atlanta Panthers 🐾 (@CAUAthletics) May 23, 2026

Her death has deeply affected the Livingstone and Clark Atlanta communities, as well as her hometown of Frankfort, where school officials described her as smart, kind, and beautiful and made grief counseling available to students and alumni. No cause of death has been publicly released.

Cook’s passing serves as a reminder that college athletics are about more than competition; they are built on community, relationships, and support. The HBCU athletics community has come together to honor her life, legacy, and the positive impact she made on everyone who knew her.

Remembering Kendall Cook
Category	Details
The Athlete	Kendall Cook, 19-year-old college volleyball player (Outside Hitter / Middle Blocker).
Collegiate Journey	She began her collegiate athletic career playing for the Clark Atlanta University Panthers (SIAC) before transferring to join the Livingstone College Blue Bears (CIAA).
Hometown Roots	A 2025 graduate of Frankfort High School in Kentucky, where she was a multi-sport standout in both volleyball and softball.
The News	Livingstone College and the broader HBCU sports community announced her sudden and tragic passing in late May 2026, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes across social media.
Community Impact	Remembered by coaches, teammates, and the Frankfort Independent Schools superintendent as a "beautiful, talented soul" who brought positive energy and warmth to everyone she met.
Support Resources	Frankfort Independent Schools and the affected universities have offered grief counselors and mental health resources to support students, teammates, and classmates mourning the loss.