In Loving Memory of Coach Ken Vargas

Dear Coach Vargas,

There are so many things that I wish I could say to you like I am sorry I never took the time to make that summer drive to have lunch with you and Coach Don Wilson at Burger House that we always talked about and thank you for having a big impact on my life as a friend and mentor.

I remember when we first met back in the winter of 2013. I was an assistant coach at Santa Cruz in Eloy and I think we got lucky and edged out your team that year. The following season you were able to get that win back. The wins are great however I learned the losses are not as bad as everyone seemed to make it. Although we were competitors for much of our coaching careers, you have always shown me honor, respect, and humility.

As the years went on, our friendship grew, you would always pick up the phone when I needed a listening ear especially navigating the coaching realm as a young coach. I always enjoyed our talks, advice you offered me, and mentorship. The best memories I had was bringing my teams up in the summer to pick up some games there at Vargas Gymnasium, the time you joined me for dinner with my team after a summer game, the countless times we would run into each other at games, and when you turned the script on me and called me for advice and help with Gabe Escobedo’s recruiting. 

This letter was the only way I felt that I could express my gratitude. Coach Vargas, you had a positive impact on my life and helped me realize my life’s work in serving the youth by assisting them and their families with the college recruiting process. I am forever grateful for your impact and influence on helping shape me who I am today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God Bless the Vargas Family and God Bless the Vandals. Aloha e kuu hoa a hui hou kaua. (Goodbye my friend, until we meet again.)

Sincerely,

George “GC3” Courtney