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

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO — Danny Duray, a native of Arlington Heights and graduate of John Hersey High School, died Wednesday on the campus of Southwest Missouri State University. Duray, 20, was a student-athlete at the Missouri school at the time of his death.

Duray, a sophomore, was a kicker on the school's football team and majoring in business administration.

"This is a heartbreaking loss for our department, our campus community, and especially for those who knew and cared for him closely," said Brady Burke, vice president for intercollegiate athletics. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Duray family."

As of Wednesday night, a cause of death for Duray had not been released.

Duray graduated from Hersey High School in 2024, where he had played football and soccer for the Huskies.

Duray, had returned to the football program at SEMO after redshirting as a true freshman with the Redhawks in 2024. According to the school, the kicker had spent the 2025 season at College of DuPage, where he made 32-of-33 PATs, 10-of-13 field goals and scored 62 points as the Chaparrals' 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," SEMO Head Football Coach Tom Matukewicz said. "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."