Last Wednesday, the Utah lacrosse community lost one of its own. Mike Garcia, the Freshman/Sophomore Coach at Olympus, suffered a heart-attack while playing lacrosse in the Masters game.

Mike was born in Delta, Colorado, on November 24, 1954. He and his wife Alice are the parents of two children, Rena (Ben) Johnson and Sam Diego Garcia who was with his dad when he passed away. Mike worked for RX America as a Director of IT.

Mike got involved in lacrosse 5 years ago when Sam was a sophomore in high school, he started coaching the same year due to lack of coaches. He then got deeper involved in lacrosse and fell in love with the game.

“Mike loved playing lacrosse and coaching the kids of the Olympus team, he thought of those kids as his own and truly cared about all of their futures,” said Rena.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2012, at 11:00 am at the Garden Heights North Ward LDS Chapel, 2220 East Fisher Lane (2935 South). Friends and family may call on Wednesday evening, July 25, 2012, from 6-8 pm at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church Thursday from 9:30-10:30 prior to services. Interment will be in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Also, the ULA is currently accepting tax deductible donations to the Mike Garcia Fund. This fund will be used to provide player scholarships and equipment grants to growing programs. Donations can be made by check or with a credit card by phoning the office at 801-255-5343.

Please leave your memories of Coach Garcia below.