Mike Taylor, a JV freshman basketball coach and varsity assistant coach, was killed in an accident on his way home from a tournament. Here's how he was remembered:
GILBERT, Ariz. — A special vigil was held Saturday in memory of an East Valley High School basketball coach who was killed in a car crash.
“I've missed watching him grow into a great coach. He was already great, but he had so much more to come,” Mesquite High School athletic trainer Kim Hansen said. “And not being able to see that is the most heartbreaking thing.”
Mesquite High School students, their families and staff shed tears Saturday as they remembered former basketball coach Mike Taylor. Killed in crash on Interstate 10 in Goodyear on April 29th..
“What a selfless person he was before he died,” said parent Matt Roberts.
“We love Coach Mike,” Hansen said. “He was just another soul that walked into the room and you couldn't help but smile. From the moment I started, the kids loved him.”
Mike Taylor was a freshman and JV basketball coach at Mesquite College. He died on Monday while returning from a basketball tournament in California.
“It's really difficult,” Roberts said. “I don't think I fully understand that. It was very difficult Monday morning when I heard the news. I've been to this parking lot many times and his red car was there. I’ve seen it happen, but I can’t see it.’ That’s the part that really gets to you. ”
“I realized it at the beginning of class, and unfortunately, I had a player like him in my class at the time,” Hansen said. “We spent the day just honoring him. We didn't push. He deserved it, the students deserved it, and everyone who needed a hug got a hug.” Because we all needed a hug.”
Hansen said he worked with Coach Mike for a year and always cherished their time together. She says he was always upbeat and smiling and treated his students like family.
“I've worked with a lot of coaches and I've never seen him yell,” she said. “He knew them well, he knew how to approach them without scaring them, approach things and make them comfortable. And that's a rare quality. He genuinely earned their respect. I was receiving it.”
For others, it was his dedication, kindness, and zest for life that they cherished.
“This man was a positive influence and a positive person. I'm proud to have known him and hope the community understands what a great man he was. I hope so.”
And as his family in blue moves forward, there is some peace in knowing that Coach Mike will always be with them, cheering them on and keeping them smiling.
“I think his children need to understand that the impact he had on them will last a lifetime. So even though he's gone, he will live on in them.” Hansen said. “He had the best aura ever. Everyone wanted to be around him and we're going to miss that. We're going to miss him very much.”
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