Football | 12/7/2013 3:05:00 PM

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University alumnus, Jon Apgar, died Saturday morning at his home in West Salem, Ore. The former Wolves' football standout lost his battle with kidney cancer at the age of 30.

Apgar, a Toledo, Ore. native, played at Western Oregon from 2002 to 2005. During his senior season, he was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Apgar's 119 tackles in 2005 remain the fourth most by any player in Western Oregon history.

Apgar, a linebacker, was named to a pair of nationally-recognized postseason teams following his senior season by the Football Gazette and the College Sports Report. He was on current head coach Arne Ferguson's first team at Western Oregon University.

"Jon Apgar, No. 51, will always represent a true competitor," Ferguson said. "He would never let anyone down; you could always count on Jon. Just recently, Jon even gave a pep talk to some of the medical staff. He always believed.

"It's hard to emphasize just what a quality young man Jon was. He was an incredible western Oregon story. He came from a small town and did big things. We have lost a true Leader of the Pack, Jon Apgar No. 51. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

After WOU, Apgar played professionally for the Los Angeles Avengers in the Arena Football League and the Danube Dragons in the Austrian Football League.

"Jon took advantage of football and his talents to get a college education," Ferguson said in an earlier release. "He felt he could play professionally, and then made it happen. He did well academically and athletically. He was a 3.4-3.5 GPA business major. He was just a smart, hard-working guy."

Apgar was diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common and aggressive form of kidney cancer. The WOU football program recently honored him at its Senior Day game against rival Central Washington. Apgar was at the game as honorary captain for a special recognition before the contest. He is survived by his wife Megan, daughter Addyson, family, friends, and many other fans.

Please continue to check WOUWolves.com for updates on funeral arrangements.