CHICAGO – Proud UIC alumnus and treasured member of the Flames Family Ricky Diaz passed away unexpectedly on the morning of November 11. He was 27 years old.
Diaz arrived at UIC as an undergraduate student in 2013 and he quickly found a home in the Athletics Department. He supported dozens of teams and countless student-athletes, coaches and staff members as a student worker, gaining trust and responsibility along the way until he graduated with a degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations in May 2017.
Upon graduation Diaz enrolled in UIC's Liataud Graduate School of Business, while continuing his work with Flames as a graduate assistant. The Joliet, Ill., native was heavily involved in marketing, game operations, social media and student engagement as he took immense pride in connecting UIC Athletics with the campus-at-large, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods and communities.
Diaz earned a Master of Business Administration in 2019, and he still was not ready to leave the campus that meant so much to him. He was soon brought on full-time as a Marketing & Promotions Coordinator, allowing him to continue doing the work that he loved on behalf of his alma mater.
Diaz recently accepted a position outside of college athletics as he began a career as a Marketing Account Manager for Guaranteed Rate at the beginning of this month.
Born November 7, 1994, Ricardo A. Diaz is survived by his loving parents Ricardo Diaz and Anita (Martinez) Diaz and his siblings Bianca, Aidan, and Nadia; grandparents Rosa and Miguel Bueno and Mary and Alfredo Martinez; his loving partner Sarah Volante, as well as numerous cousins and close friends.
Visitation for Diaz will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 from 3 - 8 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet from 3-8 p.m. Interment will be held privately by the family. For more information, please call 815-741-5500.
The family has established this GoFundMe page for those who are able to contribute and assist with expenses.
