University of Louisville cheerleader Danielle Cogswell’s death was confirmed as a drug overdose on Thursday.
According to USA Today, the cheerleader died of an overdose of heroin, amphetamines and Xanax. Cogswell was found in an off-campus student housing on July 28. As a result of the circumstances behind her death, the spirit teams will have to abide to the same random drug tests as all of the school’s athletes.
"The combination was too much for her," the coroner, Dr. Barbara Weakley-Jones said.
Before the change, spirit teams at the school went through a drug and alcohol education which was only for new student athletes. Because cheerleading is not considered a NCAA-sponsored sport, they were not required to be tested before.
Cogswell, 22, transferred to U of L last year from Arizona State. She was described as a top gymnast by spirit coach Todd Sharp. Friends and faculty who knew the cheerleader were in disbelief at her sudden death, reported the Daily Mail.
“She was clearly, as you've seen from the photographs that are circulating, beautiful on the outside but that paled in comparison to her inner beauty,” said the university’s sports information director, Kenny Klein.