Community comes together to remember late Stafford baseball coach

HOUSTON – An unexpected tragedy brought a community together for Stafford High School's beloved baseball coach.

Michael Mesa had a fiance and they shared a 2-year-old son.

“I'm very grateful. I couldn't have been with a better man,” said fiancee Laura Nguyen.

The 26-year-old was playing paintball Friday night when he collapsed and died.

“Every night, I go to sleep and I wake up and I'm thinking he's going to be there, but it's really hard for you to truly that they won't be back," she said.

Mesa was a Spanish teacher and head baseball coach for two seasons. Players said he was much more than a coach.

“It was an honor and a privilege to play under Coach Mesa, the greatest coach I've ever had the privilege of playing for,” said Senior Captain Eric Morales.

Mesa graduated from Stafford and after college went back to the place he loved.

“He was on the right track with everything, all parts of his life, just an amazing person,” said coach Sergio Hinojosa.

Friends and family, especially his son, said they'll never forget him.

“I lost the man I was suppose to spend the rest of my life with, but you see all his brothers that come around and they're here to be a father to my son and guide him down the route that Michael would have wanted him to go down,” said Nguyen.

His funeral will be held at noon Friday., May 6, at the Stafford Centre at 10505 Cash Road.

People can donate to his family here.


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Reporter, family-oriented, sports fanatic, proud Houstonian.