ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University mourns the loss of longtime team chaplain Fr. Eugene Grollmes, S.J., who passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at the age of 82.

“Father Grollmes was a treasure to our department and all of Saint Louis University,” SLU director of athletics Chris May said. “You will not find a more passionate Billiken fan. He truly was a remarkable human being, someone who mentored many Billiken student-athletes and staff during his time here. Father Grollmes will be sorely missed.”

Visitation will be Monday, July 28, from 5 – 7 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier College Church on the University campus. A funeral mass is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday. Burial will be Tuesday, July 29, at 9 a.m. at Calvary cemetery.

A SLU graduate, Father Grollmes was named the program's first-ever team chaplain in 1990. A native of Seneca, Kan., he earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Letters from SLU in 1957. His post-graduate studies included stops at Boston College and Harvard. In 1974, he was named assistant dean at the College of Arts and Sciences and has remained at SLU ever since, filling a variety of roles.

As chaplain of the department of athletics, Father Grollmes helped mentor thousands of Billiken student-athletes by providing counseling, assisting in their academic development and providing a Jesuit presence in the department of athletics.

When the department of athletics honored Father Grollmes at a men's basketball game during the 2012-13 season, he mentioned his favorite memories of men's basketball came during his undergraduate days. He specifically enjoyed watching his favorite coach Eddie Hickey coach against Oklahoma State's Henry Iba in Missouri Valley Conference play. Father Grollmes' all-time favorite players included Ed Macauley and Bob Ferry.

Affectionately known by many Billiken student-athletes and staff as simply “Father G,” Father Grollmes was a recognizable figure at Billiken basketball games in his seat on the end of the Billiken bench. In addition, he would join the team in the locker room for the post-game talk.

Father Grollmes was an internationally known author of more than 25 books, magazine articles and book reviews. He is also a poet of more than 1,500 poems. He authored At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington D.C.: Between the Lines, a book of poetry inspired by Father Grollmes' 1982 visit to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.