Although he was a telecommunications major, Michael Grembowicz's passion was professional wrestling; it was out of respect for his mother that he went to college, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity president Shawn Meier said.
While she knew her son aspired to be a pro-wrestler, Meier said, Grembowicz's mother insisted he go to college to get a degree in case his dream career fell through.
"They've always kind of been a rock for him," Meier said of Grembowicz's family.
Grembowicz, a 20-year-old Ball State University junior, died Thursday in his room at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house. Coroner Jim Clevenger said the cause of death has not been determined but no foul play was suspected. An autopsy is scheduled for today.
Phi Gamma Delta members and friends gathered at the fraternity house Thursday night for a prayer service and mini-memorial for Grembowicz's close friends, Meier said.
A Phi Gamma Delta member for three years, Grembowicz never attended Grand Chapter, the largest annual event for the greek community, Meier said. However, even Grand Chapter couldn't pull Grembowicz away from another important annual event: Wrestlemania.
"Even though we gave him crap [about wrestling], we really respected that he had a dream and really went after it," Meier said.
Friends spoke highly of Grembowicz's ability to dedicate himself to things that mattered to him.
Grembowicz's love of football came through at games where he would be covered head to toe in body paint, Meier said.
Grembowicz also broke out the body paint when it came to supporting his friends in student government.
While the U.N.I.T.E.D. Initiative awaited the results of last year's voting results, Meier said, Grembowicz was again painted head to toe, this time with a giant 'U' painted on his chest.
"He was like the unofficial mascot," he said. "He was our unofficial mascot."
Roommate Dalen Faughn was an up close and personal friend of Grembowicz.
"He's not shy with his body," Faughn said with a laugh. "I'd be sitting on the couch and he'd get up and be changing to go to class ... He'd just say 'nudity' and you knew not to look that way."
Although Faughn admits he knew this trait of Grembowicz before living with him, he said he had no idea how unreserved his roommate was. Meier's laughter and head nods signaled agreement with Faughn.
"That's what we loved and hated about him," Meier said smiling.
His duties as president kept Meier from emotionally dealing with Grembowicz's death, he said. Meier spent most of his day contacting current, overseas and alumni members of Phi Gamma Delta, he said.
"It probably hasn't even hit me yet," he said. "I'm on autopilot still."
While the feeling of brotherhood at Phi Gamma Delta has been noticeably stronger this year as opposed to past, Meier said, Thursday's events brought that to an entirely new level.
"I've never seen the brotherhood come together like they have today," he said.
At a presidential roundtable Thursday, Meier said, support and condolences came from a slew of greek leaders as the group put aside the petty rivalries that exist among some greek organizations.
"Today it's been more of a community than I've ever seen it," he said. "This is what the greek community needs to be like."
The university also responded quickly to the needs of the fraternity members, Meier said. University officials and grief counselors arrived at the house within 30 minutes, he said.
Kay Bales, dean of students, released a statement on behalf of the university.
"When we lose a member of our university community, it is always very sad and tragic," she said. "We offer our deepest sympathies to Michael's family and friends."
Although the members mourn the death of Grembowicz, Meier said, stories of him were told Thursday night at their house; remembering Grembowicz's life and who he was.
"He was the guy you would call on weekends, no matter what time and he'd get out of bed and come get you," he said. "He was really dedicated to his friends."
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