Courtesy of University of La Verne
Sept. 23 update: A memorial service celebrating the life of Will Darity, Jr., will be held on Friday, September 27, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the SkyRose Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Gardens and Cemetery, in Whittier, California.
Rose Hills Whittier – Gate 1
3888 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
Directions from Gate 1:
Proceed past the info booth. At the top of the hill turn left behind the Chapel. Parking is on the left.
Cards may be forwarded to the family c/o the La Verne Office of the President.
Campus Address: University of La Verne
1950 Third Street, La Verne, California 91750
(909) 593-3511
La Verne, CA – William E. Darity, Sports Information Director for the University of La Verne, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 18, after suffering a major heart attack. He was 43.
Darity served as a staff member at La Verne for 18 years, during which time he also earned his master's degree from the University. The unexpected news of his passing stunned the university community.
"This is a tremendous loss to the University of La Verne community and to all who knew Will. I am deeply saddened today and my heart goes out to his entire family," University President Devorah Lieberman said. "Will was not only a dedicated and hard-working staff member serving in his role as our Sports Information Director, but he was greatly admired by all who knew him."
Jim Paschal, longtime La Verne professor and former Leopards coach and director of Athletics, said, "Will came to the University at a young age with personal and professional dreams and expectations. He was beginning to achieve and accomplish those goals when his time was cut too short."
La Verne Athletics Director Julie Kline added, "This is a devastating loss for our Leopard family. Will Darity was a longtime colleague and friend to so many of us in our department and at the University. Will was passionate about Leopard Athletics, the University of La Verne and serving our students in everything he did every day. He will be greatly missed by all of us."
Darity attended T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, North Carolina. A lover of sports from an early age, he landed an internship working with the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1993 – the same year he earned his bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
From 1994 to 1995, Darity was the sports information assistant at California State University, Northridge, before he joined the University of La Verne as assistant coach for Track & Field and Cross Country. It was during this time in 1995 that he pursued a master's degree in education with a focus in athletics management at La Verne, graduating in 1997.
From 1998 through 2002 he worked as an admissions counselor, academic advisor for CAPA and assistant track coach before assuming the role of sports information director.
Darity was instrumental in helping La Verne's track & field program win four Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championships and guiding some of the University's top athletes to the NCAA Division III Championships.
Amid all of Darity's responsibilities at La Verne, he found time to cover high school sporting events and write stories for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin in Ontario.
Darity touched the lives of many La Verne students, not all involved in intercollegiate athletics. In fact, throughout his career at La Verne, Will frequently taught a course in the College of Arts & Sciences, The Human Condition (CORE 320).
He was known as someone who genuinely cared about others, especially his students and colleagues.
La Verne baseball coach Scott Winterburn said, "There just isn't a person who loved being a (University of La Verne) Leo more than Will. We have lost a person who is so valuable to us. Will was my friend and I will miss him dearly."
"La Verne Athletics is a close-knit community of students, coaches, staff and alumni," said Provost Greg Dewey. "Today we lost one of our own. Will Darity contributed to this community in so many different ways throughout his life. Losing Will is losing a part of us."
Paul Alvarez, director of the Athletic Training Education Program, said, "Will Darity was completely dedicated to Leopard Athletics, spending countless hours above and beyond his duties. He will be missed as a friend and colleague."
Pat Widolff, professor of Movement & Sports Sciences and Leopards track & field coach, added, "Will was very supportive of the track and field program in many ways. He was one of the few people who really understood the sport. More importantly, he was always there to encourage me in a personal way."
Plans for a memorial service are pending.