Yesterday our Orange County community was stunned by the sudden and tragic deaths of nine people in a helicopter accident while en route to a girls basketball tournament.  They were basketball great Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna; Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and daughter Alyssa; local basketball coach Christina Mauser; Sarah Chester and her daughter, Payton; and the pilot, Ara Zobayan.
 
Both Kobe Bryant and John Altobelli had strong ties to our UCI athletic programs.  Bryant was a familiar figure on campus to many UCI athletes during his playing days.  He was generous with his time, sharing his wisdom and love for basketball, and inspiring young men and women with his incredible commitment to excellence, his unmatched competitiveness, and his legendary work ethic.  Altobelli was an assistant baseball coach at UCI in the 1980s and 1990s, where for five years he mentored, advised, and guided his players to succeed in baseball and in life.  He went on to tremendous success as a head coach for 27 years at Orange Coast College, culminating in being named the National Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association this past offseason.
 
UCI Athletics joins the basketball, baseball, and Orange County communities in mourning the passing of the nine individuals in yesterday's tragedy.  We extend sincere condolences to their families and friends, who are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Paula Smith
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics