Joel Cornette, who was a key member of Butler's first Sweet 16 team, passed away early on the morning of August 16 due to natural causes. He was 35.

Butler Vice President/Director of Athletics Barry Collier (who served as Butler's men's basketball coach during Cornette's freshman season), head basketball coach Chris Holtmann, and former basketball coach Todd Lickliter (who coached Butler during Cornette's junior and senior seasons) met with local media later in the day.
 
On the court, Cornette helped the Bulldogs to a record of 100-30 in his four seasons (1999-2003). Butler made three NCAA Tournament appearances in his four years, including the program's first Sweet 16 in 2003. The Bulldogs also made the NIT in 2002. He scored 1,100 career points and pulled down 712 rebounds, marks that are 33^rd and tenth respectively in Butler history. His 144 career blocks and .544 career field goal percentage also rank among the Top 10 in Butler history.
 
Cornette was named to the Midwestern Collegiate Conference/Horizon League All-Defensive Team in 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03. He earned second-team All-League honors in 2002-03. Cornette served on the Butler coaching staff for the 2006-07 season as the team's coordinator of basketball operations before going to Iowa as a member of Todd Lickliter's staff. Cornette grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, starring for St. Xavier High School. An NBPA-certified player-agent, Cornette served as the Director of Basketball Recruiting at Priority Sports since January, 2012.
 
Memorial service arrangements will be forthcoming from his family.