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SEMO announces death of football player Danny Duray

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax02/12/26BarkleyTruax

Southeast Missouri State football player Danny Duray died early Wednesday morning, the program announced. Duray played kicker for the Redhawks.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that one of our student-athletes passed away,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Brady Barke. “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.”

Duray was in his second stint with SEMO at the time of his death. He committed to the Redhawks out of high school, but transferred away after redshirting as a true freshman. Duray transferred to College of DuPage where he finished the season having made 32-of-33 PATs, 10-of-13 field goals and scored 62 points as the team’s place kicker.

“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,” said Head Football Coach Tom Matukewicz. “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.”

The cause of his death was not revealed as of this report. Duray was a native of Arlington Heights, Illinois. He majored in business administration at SEMO.

According to the Southeast Missourian, the local newspaper in Cape Girardeua, SEMO officials notified students Wednesday morning of the death of a student. It read, “The university grieves this loss in our community and extends condolences and support to family and friends at this difficult time.”

Redhawks senior wide receiver Anthony Westervelt spoke to a student journalist from SEMO’s school newspaper, the Arrow, about Duray. He remembered his teammate fondly with a touching statement.

“Danny was just so full of life and was always the funniest guy in the room,” Westervelt told the Arrow. “Whenever he was around there was never a dull moment. I’ll always remember him as the life of the party. He always made sure to be there for people and encourage others. He was loved by so many people, and we all are going to miss him very much.”