The year before Will Thyberg became a Spartan at St. Thomas Aquinas College, he was faced with a sudden and life-threatening health crisis. What began with what felt like a cold coming on quickly escalated and landed Will in Hackensack Pediatrics Hospital’s ICU. He was battling an aggressive attack of COVID and the worst case of mononucleosis his doctors had ever seen. The ordeal left him too weak to walk and 32 pounds lighter. But Will persevered, making an epic comeback strong enough to return to the ice and compete with his Suffern hockey team in the state championship. They had a victorious win, earning them the state title. “I was lucky to have my teammates, friends, and community there to support me through this extremely taxing and scary illness,” Will says. “After a long journey of recovery, I began to skate again two months after leaving the hospital and the team kept our amazing season going.” The win capped off Will’s high school years and is a memory he’ll always treasure.
He continues to play hockey as a defenseman at STAC where he is alternate captain and a two-time member of the ACHA conference all-star team. “My whole life, sports have been my passion, offering that fast-paced thinking, action, and physicality,” he says. “As a student athlete at STAC, I am so grateful for life and the opportunity to continue my passion for hockey.” The Biology major is equally invested in his academic pursuits. In high school, he managed to achieve honor roll while participating on two varsity athletic teams, hockey and baseball. Will aspires for a career in healthcare and, in addition to his major, he is minoring in Exercise Science. “My dream is to apply to medical school and become a doctor,” he says, reflecting on his personal experience. “Going through my illness made me gain so much respect for our healthcare workers and I want to be able to help others as well,” Will says, adding that he is exploring various specialties in the medical field, and has pursued clinical experiences with a pediatrician, physical therapist, and chiropractor.
Will values the support of the science community at STAC. “This program is very rigorous. Each professor is excellent in their teaching and professionalism. The science community is very close and all professors work as a team and make me feel like a part of their family.” His own family’s connection to STAC spans generations. His sister, Lindsey Thyberg ’24, earned a degree in Childhood and Elementary Education and played softball at STAC. Will’s parents are also STAC alumni. His mom, Shannon, studied Elementary Education and Special Education and played softball at STAC, and his dad Paul studied Criminal Justice. His grandfather Bill was assistant softball coach for three years as well.
Outside of the classroom, Will is deeply immersed in the STAC community and involved in many activities. He is president and co-founder of the Future Leaders in Healthcare Club, vice president of the STEM club, and a second-year orientation leader. The café on campus is one of Will’s favorite spots to unwind with friends, watch sports, and participate in game nights. He also enjoys fishing and boating, and has played baseball since he was three years old and hockey since he was five. His favorite NHL team is the New York Rangers.
Written by Claire Curry