DEKALB, Ill. – Ray Guzak, a member of the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame and the 1961 NAIA 167-pound national champion, passed away on July 13 at the age of 78. One of five individual national champions in NIU wrestling history, Guzak was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. 

In 1958-59, his first season as a Huskie, Guzak posted a 13-4-3 record, finishing as the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) runner-up at 157 pounds while earning a trip to the NAIA national tournament, where his helped the Huskies to third-place team finish. As a junior in 1959-60, Guzak recorded a 14-3 mark and won the IIAC crown at 167 pounds. 

Guzak's senior year of 1960-61 saw him record a 14-1 overall record as he finished as runner-up in the IIAC before claiming the NAIA national championship at 167 pounds while helping NIU to a fourth-place team finish. He finished his three-year NIU career with a 41-8-3 record. 

Guzak was the beloved husband of the late Karen nee Doyle. Father to Janet (John) Gorecki, Tracy (Ronald) Lawrence and Ray (Amber) Guzak. Proud grandfather of William, Evelyn, Andrew, Brayden and Hailey. Caring brother of John, Robert, and Wayne. Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.

His funeral was held on Monday, July 17 at the Vandenberg Funeral Home in Tinley Park, Ill.