SIUE Athletics mourns the passing of Tim Tighe, a member of SIUE's inaugural soccer team, and a 2015 SIUE Athletics Hall of Fame inductee. Tighe passed away April 20, at age 71, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
“Tim was a great man who taught us all how to live a life of joy and giving,” SIUE men’s soccer Head Coach Mario Sanchez said. “We are grateful to have had Tim involved in men’s soccer and SIUE Athletics.”
In 1997, Tighe, and his wife Lynn established the Jack Blake Award, named for his friend and teammate who passed away at young age. The award, the highest honor given to an SIUE men’s soccer player, is given annually to the student-athlete who most embodies Blake’s talent, intensity, dedication, fitness, and leadership displayed on the soccer field and in the classroom.
“Athletics programs need a sense of legacy,” former SIUE men’s soccer Head Coach and SIUE Athletics Hall of Famer Ed Huneke said. “The Blake Award honored Jack’s accomplishments while creating an inspirational award that is incredibly meaningful to the players.”
Tighe has been a very loyal friend to SIUE Athletics and a major contributor during the transition to NCAA Division I status.
“It’s always difficult when we lose someone so special to our program,” said SIUE Director of Athletics Brad Hewitt, PhD. “He would want us to be focusing on what we’re doing next, how we’re going to improve and what we are doing to enhance the experience of our student-athletes. Thanks for your leadership, Tim.”
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 26 from 4-8 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville. The Funeral Mass will take place Friday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Jack Blake Award through the SIUE Foundation.