FORMER BRADLEY UNIVERSITY PITCHER & LOCAL DAD PASSED AWAY SUNDAY
A GoFund Me page was set up to support the family of Michael Christl, a graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School and a former Bradley University pitcher who most recently resided in Woodridge with his wife and three young children.
The local area resident died early Sunday in Wisconsin from injuries suffered while diving off a pier into Mason Lake where he was visiting a friend's cabin. He was just 34 years old.
Authorities received a 911 call at 3:12 p.m. Saturday. A University of Wisconsin Med Flight helicopter transported Christl to University Hospital in Madison where he died hours later.
The Peoria Journal Star reported today that Christl earned all-Missouri Valley Conference second team honors as a senior for the 2007 Braves. He was 18-19 with a 4.83 earned-run average in his four years at Bradley University, graduating with a degree in business.
He elected to return to BU for his senior season after being chosen in the 22nd round of the ’06 free-agent draft by the Boston Red Sox.
The Star also reported that Christl signed with the Chicago Cubs and played minor-league ball for one season before going to work for Quincy Recycle as a Senior Director of Sales and Procurement.
Visitation is Thursday from 3-8 p.m. at the Bolingbrook-McCauley Funeral Chapel at 530 West Boughton Road in Bolingbrook. Funeral services are Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas The Apostle Church, 1500 Brookdale Road in Naperville
A GoFundMe page was created for contributions to be made for the education of his children. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday (July 23), $72,668 was raised, surpassing its goal of $30,000.
