JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – After a battle with brain cancer, recent Illinois College student Robbie Lopez '20 passed away on Sunday, Nov. 29.
The Illinois College men's soccer team, which Lopez was a member of for three years, and the entire Illinois College community extend their condolences to the Lopez family. Lopez will be awarded his Illinois College degree posthumously, with special recognition at this spring's Commencement.
Lopez joined the Blueboys men's soccer team in 2016 after graduating from University High School in Normal, Illinois. He appeared in 28 matches with 20 starts in his collegiate soccer career. Robbie was diagnosed with brain cancer during the summer of 2019, right before his senior season. He was on course to earn his degree in communications and rhetorical studies before his illness put his schooling on hold.
Lopez remained on the team during the 2019 season, although he did not compete. He regularly attended matches and practices between getting chemo treatments to support his teammates as much as he could. He was also there to support his younger brother, Christian Lopez '22, a junior at IC and current member of the Blueboys men's soccer team. The team also supported Lopez in his ongoing fight against brain cancer by holding several benefit events in his honor.
Blueboys soccer hosted a fundraiser for Lopez during a home match against Beloit in the 2019 season. The "Rally for Robbie" raised funds to help the family with any medical bills and expenses. The team posted flyers all over campus and sold T-shirts before and at the match. Lopez was acknowledged before the start of the contest and the crowd of teammates and the IC community showed overwhelming support for him.
Brock Ziegemeier '19 was Lopez's teammate on the soccer team and roommate for three years at IC. "He was one of the nicest kids I will ever meet. I could not see myself with another roommate. We always had a lot of fun," Ziegemeier said. "He was always there no matter what. If he could make it to our matches, he would be there. All of us knew he wanted to be there to support us. That is what made him happy, and that made us happy because we wanted to see him too."
Kyle Tucker '19 was also a teammate of Lopez's and his roommate for one year. "If you were his teammate, you knew when he was mad. He used his emotion to inspire his teammates in a good way. Very rarely was he negative. He was always trying to pick everyone else up. He was one of those guys you wanted to play for because of how much passion he brought to the team," Tucker said. "He was a very strong individual. The last semester we had with him he was always busy trying to catch up on schoolwork. Even though he was always tired and didn't feel good, it never stopped him. He never gave up. I know it made him upset that he couldn't play with us during our senior year, but him just being there made me play harder and want to be better."
Head men's soccer coach Evan Philpott mentioned that Lopez was an outstanding spirit to have close to the team. "Robbie had a special way of inspiring people with his positivity, courage and strength. Robbie made such an impact on my life and so many others," Philpott said. "His passion, commitment and caring attitude taught me what it truly means to be a Blueboy. Robbie was a blessing to all of us and will be missed dearly."
Lopez was an admired member of the IC community and will be truly missed. It is with great sorrow that we extend our love and support to the Lopez family and Robbie's brother Christian.
The IC Athletics Department and men's soccer team will soon launch a social media campaign to remember Lopez. We encourage you to use the hashtag #RememberRobbie on social media to share memories and community support.
