Dave Faiella, sports information director at NMU, died yesterday, Dec. 1 after experiencing serious heart and kidney problems for a couple of weeks. Faiella was 49 and a “sports stats guru,” keeping records and stats, writing press releases and knowing everything there is to know about NMU sports.

“We lost a very valued staff member, one that was a friend to many coworkers and other university employees. He was a very good friend not only to staff, I would say, but to students as well,” said Steve Reed, associate director of sports operations.

According to Reed, Faiella enjoyed traveling around the world and surfing in his free time. He was greatly loved by the people he worked with in his nine years at NMU, first as assistant director of sports information and then, since 2003, as director.

“Those of us who had the opportunity to work closely with Dave will remember him for his calm demeanor, work ethic and dry sense of humor,” said a press release Reed sent out Wednesday evening.

Bridget Berube, assistant director and senior woman administrator, said that the office will seem much different without Faiella, who was always available to talk to staff and students.

“Whenever anybody was looking for him, Dave was in his office,” Berube said. “People liked to stop by and see him.”

Berube said she is saddened by the loss of Faiella, whom she had worked with in various capacities since he started at NMU.

“Everybody really liked him,” Berube said, “and he’s definitely going to be very missed.”

A funeral or memorial service have not been planned at this time but will be scheduled for the near future.