Former University of Sioux Falls athlete Bill Brockmueller dies in skiing accident

A former University of Sioux Falls cross country athlete was fatally injured while skiing Dec. 4 in at Eldora Mountain Resort near Boulder, Colorado.

Bill Brockmueller, 26, a Brandon native, was one of the most decorated student athletes at USF as a three-time NCAA Elite 89 Award recipient and All-American when he competed at USF from 2010 to 2015. He set a school record in the 10,000-meter run and helped lead the men's team to a program-best second-place finish at the NSIC/US Bank Indoor Championships in 2015 by winning both men's 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs.

Eldora ski patrol responded to a call about a skier colliding with a tree around 3:45 p.m. Dec. 4, according to the Denver Post. Brockmueller did not have a helmet on and was airlifted to Boulder Community Health's Foothills Hospital in critical condition.

Brockmueller was attending CU Boulder for a graduate degree in physics, he'd recently graduated from Boston University with a master's degree in physics.

Doug Peterson, director of cross county and track and field at USF who worked with Brockmueller his final year at USF, said Brockmueller planned to return to USF to teach physics and coach one day.

The news of Brockmueller's death has had a "ripple effect" across the USF campus, Peterson said. He's also received messages of support from Brockmueller's former competitors, teammates and coaches. Peterson believes this testifies to the kind of compassionate and caring person Brockmueller was.

"He was one of those that had a passion for winning but yet was very humble about doing so and always had words of encouragement he’d give to competitors and teammates," Peterson said.

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He was the kind of person that made everyone feel they mattered, said Brockmueller's former head coach at USF, Grant Watley.

"With Billy he had a genuine care for other people. His faith was very, very important to him and he tried to emulate a Christ-like behavior in what he did," Watley said. "You really saw that with how he treated everybody and every interaction he had with people."

Watley remembers Brockmueller leading team devotions and bible study, along with motivating the team in tough times.

Brockmueller not only excelled in competition, but was an example to those around him, Peterson said. His faith and compassion drove him to be driven spiritually, athletically and educationally.

"He mentored me and I mentored him," Peterson said. "He was definitely a team leader at USF — and the skills that he showed the other athletes — I paid close attention to that and had the chance to talk on numerous occasions to talk about life, faith, what he did with his running and everyday life."

Brockmueller graduated from USF in 2015 with degrees in applied mathematics and computer science, along with minors in accounting and theology. He was known around campus for his success in his studies, but also for his faith. Brockmueller spent half a year as part of a SIMBA mission group in Africa.

"Bill's reach was far more than what he did athletically because he was an outstanding student who deeply cared about his fellow students on campus," said Dennis Thum, USF Dean of Chapel, in a news release. "He was heavily involved in everything here at USF. His loss leaves a void and we will pray for him and his family at this sad time.

Brockmueller sustained serious head, back and leg injuries, and was placed in a medically-induced coma while doctors tried to reduce brain swelling, according to the Post. His family chose to take him off life support last weekend.

"Unfortunately, Bill's brain injury was so intensive that the doctors have informed the family that the damage is too far gone for recover," wrote Emily Crider, Brockmueller's campus minister at CU, on his CaringBridge page. "The skilled medical team and family have chosen to withdraw care within the next day or so and is beginning to process their tremendous grief."

Both Peterson and Watley credit Brockmueller for USF's success in cross country within the past few years. He and his brother, Bobby, both ran for USF and helped jumpstart the program.

"The team placed fifth this year in the national meet, and that's in large part due to Bill and Bobby and their impact at USF over their five years there," Watley said. "It still lives on. Guys on the team who even didn't run with him know who he was. He had such a big impact on everything he did and he's definitely going to missed here on Earth."