Former CMU Standout Dies

7/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country

July 15, 2002

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Steve Bierstetel, a key member of two Central Michigan University cross country teams that won two Mid-American Conference championships, died in his sleep this past weekend.

The 33-year-old native of Fowler was the athletics director at Fowlerville High.

"It's such a tragic situation," said CMU head track coach Jim Knapp. "He was a great example of a student-athlete while he was at Central Michigan, and was a tremendous ambassador for the university since he left."

A 1992 graduate of CMU, Bierstetel earned a master's degree in sports administration from Central Michigan in 1996.

Bierstetel helped the Chippewas capture back-to-back MAC championships in 1988 and '89. He also competed in indoor and outdoor track.

There will be a mass on Thursday at 10 a.m., at the Most Holy Trinity Church in Fowler. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., at Osgood Funeral Home in Fowler.

Bierstetel was single.