Memorable sports figures with ties to Southern Arizona who passed away in 2022 (bless their souls and their families and friends):
Christian Lopez, 24, former Marana and Arizona lineman
Troy Iturralde, a Tucson High School junior baseball player
Steve Lawley, 58, longtime Little League coach, volunteer and umpire
Coniel “Popcorn” Norman, 68, former Arizona basketball standout
Lorenzo Cotton, 73, longtime referee and community leader
Julius Holt, 60, former Arizona football player, community leader, Tucson Youth Football & Spirit Federation president
Adam Boehme, 17, Sahuaro High School senior football player, cross country runner and track and field athlete.
Jeff Rinehart, 57, former Arizona offensive lineman who was a heralded recruit as a Parade All-American
Roland LaVetter, 82, longtime basketball coach who led Pueblo to state titles in 1976-77 and 1977-78.
Jason Fackler, 45, Little League umpire who became Umpire in Chief with the Arizona District 12 Little League in 2019.
Mary Hines, 93, legendary coach, mentor and teacher who was a 1947 state champion as a doubles tennis player at Tucson High with Serafina Grace and coached Catalina to a volleyball title in 1972.
Brad Henke, 56, former Arizona lineman and captain who was part of Dick Tomey’s first two teams at Arizona in 1987 and 1988 after transferring from a junior college. Later became an actor.
Robert Glanton, 48, former Arizona football player who was part of Tomey’s program in the mid 1990’s.
John Necas, 53, former Douglas standout offensive lineman who signed with Larry Smith at USC in 1987 and later coached the Bulldogs.
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