A sad day for area wrestling - Rosemead's Madrigal dies
On the eve of what might have been one of the more enjoyable weekends in Valley wrestling history, turned sad Thursday as long-time Rosemead coach Louie Madrigal, truley one of the good guys in the coaching circles died.
Here's the story I wrote for Friday's edition:
Louie Madrigal, the longtime Rosemead High School wrestling coach who helped build the Panthers into one of the top programs in the CIF-Southern Section, has died.
He was in his early 50s.
“It’s sad. I don’t know what else to say,” said Adrian Marquez, Rosemead’s 130-pound wrestler who is expected to compete in this weekend’s CIF-State championships, which begin today at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. “I wish he could be here.”
Rosemead athletic director Marc Harisay said Madrigal was scheduled to drive up with his assistants and Marquez to the state championships.
“I really have no details,” Harisay said. “I was told that they drove over to his home when he didn’t show up at the school and that’s when they found out he had passed away.”
Madrigal guided one of the top programs in the area for much of the past two decades.
He took over for Curt Nichols in the late 1980s and built a program that was one of the most-recognized in the CIF-SS.
He led Rosemead to CIF-SS individual team titles in 1988 and 2004 and a dual championship in 2002. During his tenure, the Panthers produced 17 CIF-SS champions, three CIF state champions (Michael Kawamura, ’95; Hector Torres, ’97-98) and one senior national champion (Manuel Rivera, ’03).
Kawamura was one of just three Valley competitors to earn four top-eight finishes at the state championships, and Rivera, now at Minnesota, is one of the top competitors in the Big 10 Conference.
Marquez is his latest prodigy. He won the 130-pound division at the CIF-Southern Coastal Division championships two weeks ago, then followed it up by winning a CIF-SS Masters title last weekend.
He is ranked second in the state at 130 pounds.
- Steve Ramirez
Steve's take: This is truely a sad day. I will miss the guy. He was someone who always made himself available for us media types and was the first to support the area as a whole, even propping up other team's competitors. I know the West Coast Classic will not be the same without him. Louie truely was the West Coast Classic, and made sure it was always the top tournament in the Valley.
Rosemead won't be the same without him, and either will the Valley.
Comments
For those of you who are interested ...
Viewing @ Pierce Brothers Friday 3/7 6-8 pm on Las Tunas In Temple City . Sat.3/8 am Service @ St Anthonys On San Gabriel Blvd , just north of the 10 Fwy .
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | March 4, 2008 11:13 AM
I have never known such a dedicated person at Rosemead. Louie will be missed by a lot of people in the community. I wrestled for him and also played football for him. Rosemead is like a family and Louie was like a dad to many. I will miss him and will never forget him. God Bless You Louie!
Posted by: oldschoolpanther | February 29, 2008 5:27 PM
I've known Louie since elementary school and have been good friends since then. We played h.s. football together, we coached together and worked many years at the West Coast Classic.
I have never met a man who had as much passion and love for his sport as much as Lou did. His dedication and commitment to his athletes goes above and beyond the norm.
In my eyes he is truely a LEGEND. I have lost a great friend but he will live with me forever!!
Posted by: Tony Sumida | February 29, 2008 5:22 PM
There will be a service outside of the Wrestling Room Tonight @ around 6 pm . In front of RHS I believe the address is 9063 Mission , just east of Rosemead Blvd .Please join us in remembering this GREAT MAN . He won @ least TWO CIF crowns in 86+ 88. HELPED MANY to become MEN from boys . MM you asked me to mention a few things , I have not the time or energy right now . This has totally crushed me . I lost touch with Lou over the last few years , but our friendship was ALWAYS A GREAT ONE !
TM
Posted by: Trojan Man | February 29, 2008 10:44 AM
Trojan Man,
It was sad to hear you lost a "friend", because that's what great coaches become in latter years, and my prayers are with the Rosemead community.
Great coaches make tremendous sacrifices to ensure that students have a "moment to shine and remenber for all time" yet never really get appreciated until they are gone.
Maybe you could pass along more information and insight about this great man and the times of the services.
May God bless his soul and watch over his family and friends.
R.I.P...is right.
Don and Joe Amat thanks for the kind words as well. And yes I have been rewarded "tenfold" in my life. Play nice and enjoy the blog.
Posted by: Mean Machine | February 29, 2008 10:18 AM
I am sorry to hear of Louie's Passing, I was the one of the Wrestling Managers at Rosemead when he was assistant to Mr. Nichols in 1979. He was always truly dedicated to the sport of wrestling. The School& ,Cityof Rosemead and the wrestling Community have lost a great leader.
Posted by: JMcDonough | February 29, 2008 10:00 AM
I am sorry to hear of Louie's Passing, I was the one of the Wrestling Managers at Rosemead when he was assistant to Mr. Nichols in 1979. He was always truly dedicated to the sport of wrestling. The School& ,Cityof Rosemead and the wrestling Community have lost a great leader.
Posted by: JMcDonough | February 29, 2008 9:55 AM
I had the PLEASURe of knowing this GREAT MAN for over 20 years & was absolutely CRUSHED when I heard the news last night .A LOT of his teams accomplishments have been left out , he was a VERY GENOROUS MAN . Giving time & $$$ , ALWAYS the first coach @ practice & ALWAYS the last to leave .HE IS GOING TO BE DEARLY missed by MANY ! oe of his MANY saying was "CHAMPIONS RISE TO THE OCCASION " . The SGV lost a TRUE CHAMPION .
TM / ML
Posted by: Trojan Man | February 29, 2008 7:26 AM
Hey john 78:
Not for nothing but I don't think its appropriate leaving a comment like that on this blog thread/subject. Do it somewhere else. The man just died...show a lil respect.
R.I.P COACH MADRIGAL
war panthers fear the 'Mead
Posted by: JJimenez | February 28, 2008 10:28 PM
Fred whats going on with track i heard Los is going to have some studs?
Posted by: john 78 | February 28, 2008 9:56 PM