Costa Mesa High students press on despite sadness

Dierdre Newman

COSTA MESA -- As students and staff members at Costa Mesa High School

continue coming to grips with the death of one of their football players,

the team has decided to continue with its regular schedule and play its

homecoming game Friday night.

“I think it’s important for them to go about their daily routine,”

said Kirk Bauermeister, athletic director.

Senior Matt Colby died late Friday after being injured in a game

against Ocean View High School. An autopsy did not reveal the cause of

death so additional tests are being conducted. Those results will be

available in four to six weeks, according to the Orange County coroner’s

office.

Principal Diana Carey notified teachers Monday morning and gave them

information to share with the students on dealing with grief.

The loss cuts deeper than the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11., Carey

said.

“It’s much more personal for kids and brings questions of their own

mortality into focus,” Carey said. “There will be residual effects of

kids who lost a parent or a friend who will be reliving that.”

Colby, 17, had followed his football coach Dave Perkins from Estancia

High to Costa Mesa High this year and revered him as a father figure,

Carey said. On Monday afternoon, a group of Estancia football players

came to Costa Mesa for a prayer service on the football field.

Estancia Principal Tom Antal remembered Colby as a quality, young man

and a steady friend who showed empathy for other students.

“How sad we all are to see this happen,” Antal said. “No young life

being cut so short is a thing we want to see, especially someone so nice

to others.”

On Saturday night, the Costa Mesa players held a sleepover in the gym

so they could commiserate together. School board members David Brooks and

Jim Ferryman stopped by to offer their condolences.

“It was a very good time. The students were all very respectful and

wanting to honor the memory of Colby,” Brooks said. “It just gave them a

real chance to be together and bond, as well as go through this

experience. I think it helps with the healing process.”

While school officials decided to postpone the homecoming dance and

other festivities this weekend, the players decided to continue with

their schedule. Colby’s spirit remains with the team, trainer Scott

Brescol said.

“People are still walking around, still smiling,” Brescol said. “His

spirit is among them and keeping them strong.”

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .

For more on issues surrounding the death of Costa Mesa High

football player Matt Colby, see Page xxx.