Northwestern University Athletics
Matt Hartl Loses Battle to Hodgkin's Disease
8/31/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 31, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - Matt Hartl, a three-time letterwinner in football who was one of the Wildcats? captains last year and a source of inspiration to many involved with the NU football program, lost his battle to Hodgkin?s Disease late last Monday.
A memorial service for Matt will be held at the Millar Chapel ? located on Northwestern?s Evanston campus ? this Tuesday, September 7 at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the Hartl family has requested that contributions be made to the Matt Hartl Fund. This fund will be used to help Northwestern students who become critically ill and are in need of financial assistance. Contributions can be sent to the Matt Hartl Fund, 1501 Central Street, Evanston, Ill.
?If you ever had the pleasure of being in Matt Hartl?s presence, you?ll know what we are all going through,? said Rick Taylor, Northwestern?s Director of Athletics. ?We are paralyzed with grief. Matt was a truly remarkable young man who was taken from us all far too soon. We are honored to have known him and thank his family for sharing him with us.?
Though he never saw any time last year due to a recurrence of Hodgkin?s Disease, Matt served as a captain for the Wildcats, earned the school?s Marcel Price Award, and was recipient of the Disney Spirit Award at last year?s College Football Awards held in Orlando, Fla. Matt lettered as a redshirt freshman on the Wildcats? 1995 team that won the Big Ten championship and played in the Rose Bowl, then came back to letter again in 1997 after missing the 1996 campaign when he was originally diagnosed with the disease.
Next Tuesday?s memorial service is not open to the media, and Matt?s family asks that their wish be respected.
