March 7, 2011
DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois Athletics and the Huskie Wrestling community, along with his family and friends, is mourning the loss of former NIU wrestler Will McDermott, who passed away on Friday, March 4, 2011 at the age of 24.
McDermott, a native of Mundelein, Illinois, was a three-year letterwinner for the Huskies from 2007-2009 and posted 35 wins for the Huskies on the mat during his career. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in May 2009 with a degree in psychology and a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
McDermott competed for the NIU Wrestling team from 2005-06 to 2008-09 after coming to NIU. He posted a winning record in each of his four years and wrestled 25 times for the Huskies at 149 pounds in 2006-07, when he went 13-12 overall. He won five matches by pin.
Off the mat and outside of the wrestling room, McDermott was one of the Huskies' best-known student-athletes through his involvement with NIU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He served as treasurer of the organization in 2007-08 and was vice-president in 2008-09. He represented NIU Athletics at the NCAA Leadership Conference in 2006-07. He was responsible for organizing the first SAAC "Smash-A-Car" fundraiser, which is now held prior to a Huskie football game each year.
"Will was just an outstanding individual," said NIU Wrestling Coach Dave Grant, who recruited and coached McDermott at NIU. "In my years of coaching, I've never met such a wonderful person. He excelled in all areas of his life, but most of all, he was a great person who would go the extra mile to help anyone, especially a teammate. He was a leader of our team both motivationally and spiritually. He was one of the leaders among our student-athletes and he gave of himself at every turn. [My wife] Kris and I consider Will and [his wife] Lydia a part of our family. He's going to be missed by so many, many people that loved him."
Following his graduation from Northern Illinois, McDermott joined the NIU Police Department where he worked for the last two years. He came to DeKalb after a standout wrestling career at Mundelein High School that included a 2005 conference title, three appearances in sectional playoffs and a trip to the state championships in 2005.
McDermott is survived by his wife, Lydia; his parents, Patrick and Cheryl McDermott of Mundelein; a sister, Lori; a brother, Steven; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and many, many friends.
The funeral service for McDermott will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at First Lutheran Church, 324 N. Third St., DeKalb with visitation prior to the funeral from 2-7 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the NIU Foundation/William D. McDermott Scholarship Fund, in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 S. Fourth St., DeKalb, IL 60115.
-- NIU -
