Former University of Sioux Falls athlete remembered by coaches and teammates

A former University of Sioux Falls track and field athlete passed away Monday after a skiing accident in Colorado.

Bill Brockmueller was airlifted to a boulder hospital after hitting a tree. He later died in the hospital after he was taken off a ventilator. Coaches and teammates are remembering Billy after this accident.

Bill has always been a well-known athlete at the University of Sioux Falls. He graduated in 2015.

"Having a positive attitude about challenges is a strength God has given me that I am most thankful for," Bill’s track teammate, Chase Ward read.

Those are the words Bill Brockmueller wrote in his blog on his mission trip to Kenya.

"That’s true to him, you know, every single challenge he always had a positive attitude about whatever challenges came his way and he always gave glory to god in everything that he was doing," Ward said.

KSFY News had a chance to talk with Bill after his trip. His track teammate Chase Ward told us how they were going to give back in Africa.

"Over in Kenya running is a big thing over there and we had this dream of just building this track for the students," Ward said.

And Bill built that track. Chase says whatever he did he did it to the best of his ability.

When he heard the news of Bill's passing he was in shock.

"I just saw him over Thanksgiving break and gave him a hug and told him that I loved him and when I heard that I could still feel his hug," Ward said.

In Sioux Falls he was well known at USF from academics to his athletic ability, but most importantly his character.

"I think everyone knew Billy. He’s William, he's Bill, but he was always Billy around here. Even he and his brother when they first interviewed they made a big impact," USF Campus Pastor, Dennis Thum said.

This is a person Pastor Dennis Thum will never forget.

"You're always going to have that big question, why'd this have to happen and we have to live with those kind of mysteries," Thum said.

Doug Petersen was Bill's track coach calling him a top notch and encouraging person.

"He wasn't afraid to work he was probably one of the hardest workers that I’ve ever coached and just his work ethic that he had he shared with the other runners," Petersen said.

If teammate Chase could he'd tell Bill one last thing.

"I would just tell him thank you for the impact he had on my life as a teammate as a brother in Christ I would tell that I love him and thank you for helping me grow my faith and who I am today," Ward said.

Bill wanted to return to Sioux Falls to coach and teach at USF and Petersen says he would've been great at it.