"He was a first-class individual": Geneva H.S. football player died of natural causes

GENEVA – For the past four years, Geneva High School football coach Rob Wicinski has watched senior John McNeil grow up, on and off the field.

And with graduation just months away, Wicinski said the 18-year-old starting left tackle was still narrowing down his college choices, hoping to continue his football and academic careers.

But McNeil's pursuit ended early. The Geneva honors student died Thursday morning from what authorities believe to be the result of a pre-existing medical condition.

"He was an outstanding, solid young man," Wicinski said, noting McNeil's near perfect team workout attendance and respectful demeanor. "He wasn't just a football player. ... He was a good boy."

Superintendent Kent Mutchler said McNeil had been out of school since Monday and was hospitalized Wednesday before he died Thursday morning at Delnor Hospital.

Coroner Chuck West said an autopsy showed that McNeil died from natural causes associated with pre-existing medical problems.

The suddenness of McNeil's death left students and staff members "breathless," said Geneva Athletic Director Jim Kafer.

The news was delivered Thursday morning, and Kafer said the football team was coping with the loss of one of their own.

"He was a first-class individual. He was a very good football player, a member of the National Honor Society and umpired youth league baseball," Kafer said. "Every positive adjective you can come up with, actually, applied to him."

Wicinski said McNeil's death brought up some painful memories for the team.

Three years ago, Wicinski said his young players mourned the death of 15-year-old Dustin Villarreal. The freshman football player died in May 2006 of a heart ailment while out with friends.

The team has been known to visit Villarreal's grave before games. Students raised money to erect new goal posts at Burgess Field that were dedicated in Villarreal's memory.

"They've been through the loss before," Wicinski said. "It's not something you ever want to get used to, but they are leaders and are handling it the best they can."

Wicinski said it was too early to know if the team would plan anything in the honor of McNeil, who wore the No. 74 Vikings jersey. Funeral arrangements had not been made as of Thursday evening.

Counseling was made available to high school students at staff on Thursday evening. For more information on counseling, call 630-463-3830.