"McKendree University and the Bearcat athletics family have suffered a great loss," said Chuck Brueggemann, the McKendree athletics director. "Alex McMahon was much more than a student-athlete. He was an inspiration to everyone that he came in contact with through his brave and courageous fight against this deadly disease.
In 2014, McMahon capped his four-year McKendree football career by setting the program record for highest punt average at 38.9 yards per kick. He also ranks fourth on the Bearcats' career list for punt yards (4,858) and fifth in punt attempts (125).
Alex McMahon was much more than a student-athlete. He was an inspiration to everyone that he came in contact with through his brave and courageous fight against this deadly disease.
McMahon had 13 career punts of 50 yards or more, including a career-long 62-yard boot in his first game back on the field in 2013 that followed his two-year absence from the program. He also pinned the opponents inside their own 20-yard line 44 times.
McMahon holds the distinction of being the only student-athlete in McKendree history to play multiple seasons for the Bearcats in two different national organizations.
He had such joy when he played the game. Above that, Alex was a great competitor and a first-class individual. Alex was one tough young man, and showed a tremendous amount of courage with the way he handled everything that was thrown at him. He was one of a kind.
In his first two years as a student-athlete (2009 and 2010), McKendree competed as full members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Upon McMahon's return to the Bearcats' program as a junior in 2013, McKendree had completed its transition to NCAA Division II membership.
In addition to his accomplishments on the football field, McMahon was recognized for his achievements in the classroom. He was a two-time academic all-conference honoree in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and was also a member of the dean's list.
Not only did Alex meet his health challenges head-on, but he was going to make sure he was prepared and was going to give you nothing but his best when he put on the McKendree uniform. Alex was a special person, the kind you will remember forever.
"The best part about Alex's personality was that he had the mentality of a fighter," said current McKendree coach Mike Babcock, who coached McMahon during his final two seasons in 2013-14. "This was a young man who was taking his regular treatments during the week, going to class and then playing football for us.
Funeral arrangements for McMahon are pending. McKendree will also honor his memory with a moment of silence prior to the Bearcats' homecoming game Saturday at Leemon Field against Saint Joseph's College.