[Editor’s Note: More Dave Sanchez tributes will be reported in Monday’s edition.]
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Dave and Chevy Sanchez, at Rush Street about five years ago. Photo, George N. Laase
After two days of flooding social media with tributes to the beloved Coach Dave Sanchez, a sunlighted memorial ceremony that two Culver City High School senior students – Sarah Handler and Benaisha Patel – organized for the lunch hour today in the campus Peace Garden was one of those rare interludes when hearts rather than oratory stepped to the microphone.
Against a technicolor garden background that featured three boards of George Laase photos of Coach, at work, at play and with his wife Chevy, the illustrations proved the Sanchez characteristic nearly every speaker mentioned first:
His shining, perpetual smile.
Oh, yes, multiple silver and red cans of his favorite beverage, Diet Coke, dotted the handsome landscape.
In honoring the 58-year-old coach/math teacher who died two days after a gallant year-long fight with pancreatic cancer, free-flowing eloquence came naturally to students, former players, coaches, teachers and friends.
When former players were invited to the microphone, Eric Duenes was the first to volunteer.
“This is the best damned team I have seen in years.”
Mr. Duenes was quoting his favorite coach.
“Those are a couple of words I will never forget,” Mr. Duenes said, “because he said those all four years I was here in high school. “
Scanning the audience for old teammates and other soccer players, he said, “I don’t know if you guys experienced that as well.
“This man never had a frown on his face, even on the worst occasions you could think of. He had the brightest smile. Always positive attitude.
“His dream – well, I don’t know if it was his dream – he always wanted to go to CIF.
“I was privileged to take him to CIF, the first round, with some of my teammates here.
“He was like a family member to me. Four years, we bonded, always in his classroom. He would help you out with whatever you needed.
“That’s all I have to say. He was a great man. We lost a great Centaur.”
“Good afternoon,” said one bearded speaker. “I am Coach Tom with the cross country team (that Mr. Sanchez formerly coached). You all probably knew him best at soccer.”
With his voice breaking as he went on, “Coach Lou and I saw his passion, his pride, his desire. One of you (former players) spoke of a soccer team he wanted to take a to the CIF. He got his opportunity, and that was the proudest day of his life. He loved his soccer team.”
The next speaker, Julien Prestridge, a former soccer player who graduated two years ago, stepped to the microphone, and then looked away. He could not begin immediately.
“I don’t even know where to start with Coach,” he said.
“I have known Sanchez since I was 5 years old, playing soccer, growing up with (his son) Nikko and his family. He always has been coach to me.
“Coming into high school, playing all four years with him…” and here Mr. Prestridge exhaled so he could continue.
“It’s really hard, but he definitely was one of the greatest influences in my life, on and off the field, one of the greatest men I will ever meet, that I will ever know in my life, hands down.
“He always has been there, for every one of his players, for every one of his (math) students.
“If he knew you, he was there for you.
“Gone but never forgotten, Coach. We all miss you.”
