What happened to Julian Naumenko? Community mourns as Rutgers University-Camden soccer player passes away

The Rutgers University-Camden community and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA are grieving the tragic loss of Julian Naumenko, a promising 19-year-old soccer player and nursing student. Julian, known for his exceptional talent and leadership on the field, passed away unexpectedly, leaving his family, friends, teammates, and parish deeply saddened. The exact reason behind Julian Naumenko's death has not been identified.

Julian, a freshman goalkeeper from Hatboro, PA, had recently begun his journey at Rutgers-Camden. According to Footboom, he was a standout at Archbishop Wood High School, where his stellar performances as captain earned him All-PCL honors twice and a reputation as one of the top goalkeepers in his league.

Beyond his high school achievements, Julian was a proud Ukrainian-American who dedicated a decade to competing for the Ukrainian Nationals club team, representing his heritage with pride. His Rutgers-Camden coach shared:

“Julian had the potential to build a remarkable career with us... He was athletic, commanding in the box, and possessed incredible shot-stopping abilities. His loss is deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

The church announcement read:

"On behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA extends heartfelt condolences and prayerful support to the families of the newly departed servants of God: Julian Naumenko, beloved son of Very Rev. Fr. Taras Naumenko and Pani Matka Laura Naumenko, whose sudden passing has brought profound sorrow to his family, friends, and parish community."

Many people paid their respects and mourned the loss of Julian in the comments

Gone far too soon, gonna miss you, Julian.

Our hearts are broken but love and friendship remain. Sending sympathy to Julian’s mom dad and family . Sending Prayers for strength and comfort for Julian’s family for Penn Street and for the whole team ❤️ sincerely Cathy Jacobo ( one of the Penn st moms)and fam

Thoughts and prayers to Julian, his family and the RUC family 🙏🏼❤️

Rest in peace, loved you like a brother❤️

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More about Julian Naumenko

Julian Naumenko was a gifted soccer player and dedicated nursing student whose promising life was tragically cut short. Born on November 21, 2005, in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, Julian was the son of Laura and Very Rev. Fr. Taras Naumenko.

At just 19 years old, he was a freshman at Rutgers University-Camden, where he had joined the Scarlet Raptors' soccer program as a goalkeeper for the 2024 season.

Standing tall at 6’2” and weighing 185 pounds, Julian was a formidable presence on the soccer field. During his high school years at Archbishop Wood, he earned his place as a soccer letterman and served as team captain in his final two seasons. His exceptional skills between the posts earned him accolades, including a spot on the All-PCL team twice and recognition on the All-Rookie team.

Julian’s passion for soccer extended beyond high school, as he dedicated ten years to playing for the Ukrainian Nationals club team, proudly representing his heritage. His athleticism, leadership, and shot-stopping abilities made him a valuable addition to Rutgers-Camden’s program.

Julian’s ambitions weren’t limited to soccer. He was a nursing major with plans to build a career in the healthcare field. He had a strong drive to help others and showed the same dedication in his studies as he did on the pitch. When he wasn’t busy with school or soccer, Julian enjoyed traveling, spending time at the gym, and exploring new experiences.