From Case Western Reserve University Athletics
The Case Western Reserve University football team was saddened to learn of the loss of alumnus Andrew Zajac (CWRU '10), who tragically passed away while fighting wildfires in Washington last week.
Zajac was a two-year starter on the offensive line for the Spartans, earning an honorable mention to the All-University Athletic Association Team during his senior campaign in 2009. He helped the team to an undefeated regular-season record, reaching a national ranking of seventh in Division III during the year.
Full statement from CWRU Head Football Coach Greg Debeljak:
"In many ways Andrew was the typical CWRU student. He was quiet and very
academically oriented. He was probably more comfortable in a biology lab than he was
at a party.
"What made Andrew stand out was his passion and unrelenting drive towards his goals.
He was not the most physically imposing football player on our team. He was actually
very skinny for an offensive lineman and only weighed about 215 pounds for most of his
career. He made himself in to a good player and started for us at right tackle in 2009 for
a team that went 10-0 and was ranked as high as #7 in the nation. It was a testament to
his work ethic and desire that he achieved something that honestly very few people felt
was possible.
"Andrew will be missed and my heart goes out to his family and friends, but his spirit will
live on and should inspire CWRU football players for years to come."
For more on Zajac, please read the full story on The Daily at http://cwru-daily.com/news/alumnus-andrew-zajac-dies-fighting-washington-wildfires/.