Oct. 23, 2008

 (LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 21)—McKendree University has lost a member of its family with the passing of men’s tennis coach Bill Rusick.

Rusick, a longtime Metro-East tennis figure who has coached at McKendree since 2002, lost a two-year battle with cancer on Friday. He passed away at his residence in Shiloh. Rusick was 51 years old.

 “Coach Rusick was respected and admired by his players,” said Dr. Todd Reynolds, vice president for student affairs at McKendree. “Over the six years he coached at McKendree, he directed a program that continued to improve and is now considered to be among the top programs in this region. His passing is a loss to us all and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”

Back in 2002, Rusick first joined the McKendree coaching staff as the head women’s tennis coach. The following year, he relinquished his women’s coaching duties and took the reins of the men’s squad. Rusick guided the Bearcat men’s program for the next five years. In fact, he coached McKendree through its recent fall season, which wrapped up just three weeks ago.

During his coaching career at McKendree, Rusick led the Bearcats to three consecutive trips to the NAIA Region V Tournament. This past spring, McKendree had one of its strongest seasons in recent memory, posting a 9-8 dual match record and reaching the regional semifinals.

 “Everyone in the McKendree community is saddened by the death of Bill Rusick,” said McKendree athletic director Harry Statham. “Bill was a phenomenal teacher of the game, a tremendous coach and a good friend. His courageous fight against cancer and his competitive nature to the very end are a tribute to his legacy. We will miss him but never forget him.”

A tennis instructor for nearly 30 years, Rusick was the co-owner and club pro at St. Clair Tennis Club. He also taught countless players the game of tennis at Oak Hill Racquet Club and Kings Point Tennis Club.

A native of Granite City, Ill., Rusick starred on the tennis courts at Granite City South High School before moving on to the collegiate level at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He was a key member of the Cougars’ NCAA Division II national championship squads in 1978 and 1979. Rusick earned All-America honors at SIU-Edwardsville five times during his playing career. He graduated from SIU-Edwardsville in 1980.

In 2006, Rusick was inducted into the SIU-Edwardsville Athletics Hall of Fame.

Rusick is survived by his wife Christine and her children Chris and Lindsay. Visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, also at Holy Trinity.