EWING, N.J. –Trenton State College/TCNJ alum Bill Walsh, Class of '89, has passed away after a long and valiant battle with ALS.

Walsh was a member of the Trenton State College football team, and a longtime coach at Holy Spirit High School in Abescon, N.J. He was a prominent figure in the southern New Jersey high school football community. Walsh also served Holy Spirit as the school's director of institutional advancement. He passed away on Nov. 15.

"I didn't know Coach Walsh personally, but you can tell how amazing he was based on the impact he had on former teammates here at TCNJ, and the kids that have played for him," TCNJ head football coach Casey Goff said. "He was so much more than a teammate and coach to those guys, but you can tell he was already a huge part of who they are. That will never change."

TCNJ has three student-athletes currently on the football team that played for Walsh at Holy Spirit. Gavin Liepe, Joe Marczyk, and James Marcheski were all Walsh's Spartans before becoming Lions.

"Coach Walsh was one of the most influential coaches I've ever had," Marczyk said. "He always encouraged me to do my best at everything I did, and was always there for me and my teammates. I wouldn't be where I am today without him, and I am truly grateful to have played for such a great coach and person."

The Holy Spirit football team wore No. 16 decals on its helmets in its game this past weekend to honor Walsh. Holy Spirit retired Walsh's No. 16 last year.

"Coach Walsh was much more than just a coach, and he taught us more than football. He turned young boys into gentlemen," said Marcheski. "He pushed me harder than anyone has ever pushed me before, and he did that because he loved and cared about us. He is a man that I wake up every day and strive to be like. He has impacted so many people in the community, and it was an honor to have been coached by him."