John Hersey Grad, College Football Student-Athlete Dead At 20: University

Danny Duray, a native of Arlington Heights, passed away Wednesday on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Danny Duray, a 20-year-old student-athlete at Southeast Missouri State University and graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, passed away on Wednesday. The cause of death has not yet been released by the university.

Why it matters

The death of a young student-athlete is always a tragic event that impacts the entire campus community. Duray's passing will be deeply felt by his teammates, coaches, and the broader SEMO community.

The details

Duray was a kicker for the SEMO Redhawks football team, having returned to the program after redshirting as a freshman in 2024. In 2025, he played at the College of DuPage where he had a successful season as the team's kicker.

  • Duray graduated from Hersey High School in 2024.
  • Duray redshirted as a freshman with the SEMO Redhawks in 2024.
  • In 2025, Duray played at the College of DuPage.
  • Duray passed away on campus at SEMO on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Danny Duray

A 20-year-old student-athlete at Southeast Missouri State University and graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.

Brady Burke

The vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Southeast Missouri State University.

Tom Matukewicz

The head football coach of the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks.

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What they’re saying

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our department, our campus community, and especially for those who knew and cared for him closely. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Duray family.”

— Brady Burke, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics (Patch.com)

“Today is one of the hardest days I've experienced as a coach. We lost a young man who mattered deeply to our program and to so many. Our team is hurting. Danny's family is hurting. We are going to wrap our arms around them the best we can and walk through this pain together.”

— Tom Matukewicz, Head Football Coach (Patch.com)

What’s next

The university has not yet released the cause of Duray's death, and it is expected that they will provide more information to the community in the coming days.

The takeaway

The tragic loss of a young student-athlete is a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of supporting one another during difficult times. Duray's passing will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the SEMO community, who will come together to honor his memory and provide comfort to his family and teammates.