The Greeley West volleyball team is keeping alive the memory of a classmate who passed away this past summer.  Student-athlete William Kitchell  passed away due to a fatal car accident. He was a well known student and had a relationship with lots of people on and off the basketball court.

Kitchell was well known around the school and was always a person to help another. After his accident, it is hard for most to believe it and believe it is real and some won’t see the court or friends the same.

To show tribute to Kitchell, the volleyball team decided to do it their own way. The volleyball team at Greeley West has decided to put the #12 on their pre-game warm-ups. Players said it was the coach’s idea to put the number on the warmups.

The #12 on the jerseys is the number that he had wore on the basketball court. Senior Itzel Guirdy said the number 12 is meant to “help his light alive within the athlete community.” She also stated that “remember to motivate to strive not only for a team or for themselves but for the family who is at loss.”

Lots of the players said at first they did not really know who Kitchell was, but they saw him at the games to support. Other players they said that he was a good close friend, and was someone becoming like a brother to them. Isabelle Mueller said, “We became friends last year and were dating end of last year.”

Knowing lots of people knew him he will always be in the Greeley West sports memories and hearts and will always be there for support and motivation.