Melgoza memorial set for Jan. 15 at Alamosa High School

JAIME Schmalz expressed the sentiment coaches across Colorado felt upon hearing about the sudden death of Alamosa High School Athletic Director Erik Melgoza. Schmalz had met Melgoza during a gathering of coaches and athletes through the Colorado High School Activities Association’s all-state games and remembered Melgoza’s friendly ways.

The Melgoza family has set 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, for a memorial service at Alamosa High School. Melgoza died from a traumatic head injury he suffered from a fall at his home on New Year’s Day. 

“Words cannot express how honored we are to witness the amount of love held for our dad,” said his children, Blaze Melgoza and Jordan Mallard. “Reading all the messages, personal stories, articles, and memories shared, further illustrates what a great man Dad was, and highlights the impact he had on so many lives.”

“Erik was fun-loving and honest,” remembered Schmalz, an assistant basketball coach at Elizabeth High School. “He was always playing jokes on us and continued to be a mentor for me. I know he loved being with his daughter, he loved his ranch and was always grateful for his opportunities to be a coach and athletic director. My heart is broken for his family, his team, his school, and his community. He will be missed by so many!”

Melgoza had three children, Jordan, Blaze and Emily. Emily is a sophomore at Alamosa High and member of the girls basketball team that Melgoza coached.