Show Of Support For Volleyball Coach Stricken With Cancer
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Mauricio Diaz is a household name in the South Florida high school volleyball community.
As a head coach, he led the Southwest Miami boys' team to state championship victories in 2003 and 2008, and helped give the girls at Ransom Everglades their first-ever state title in 2013 as a first-year assistant coach.
Over the last two months, however, Diaz, 41, has had to face his toughest challenge yet after being diagnosed with brain cancer, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
Doctors discovered a Stage 2 tumor following a seizure.
"I had known something was wrong for a while, I could feel it. I was walking one day this summer and the whole side of my body seized up and I almost collapsed," Diaz told the Miami Herald. "The doctors said it's not a life-or-death scenario. It's just a matter of making sure I don't lose functionality or my speech is not impaired."
In anticipation of his scheduled surgery next week, former players and members of Diaz's extended volleyball family are serving up their support in his battle with cancer.
In Thursday's game between Ransom and St. Brendan, all proceeds from the gate will go to Diaz and his family. The game is being called, "Dig for Diaz." And even rival schools have pledged their support, as well, including Westminster Christian, and two Broward schools, North Broward Prep and Douglas.
Since last month, fundraisers have helped collect about $40,000.
"Everyone has kind of rallied together, and we decided it's the least we could do for him," Westminster coach Julie Doan told the paper. "I've known him professionally for some time, and we have nothing but respect for him and the kind of person he's been to so many athletes over the years."
For Diaz, his wife and two children, ages 13 and 8, the ordeal has been stressful but said they're grateful for all the help.
"It is definitely a humbling experience and it truly shows us that all the hard work he's put into his coaching, teaching and mentoring has paid off with all the support we are receiving," said Diaz's wife Yadira to the Herald.
Despite the illness, Diaz hasn't stopped coaching. He's just taking things a little easier from the sidelines.
"I have to catch myself and be more of an observer and try to teach them things I see out there, but not get as animated as I usually do," Diaz told the paper.
Ahead of his surgery, the overwhelming support has kept him in good spirits.
"I have great doctors working with me, the whole process has been very good, and I know I'm in good hands," Diaz told the Herald. "It's an honor to see all the good you did come back to you like this. I'm just humbled and I feel really blessed and just extremely grateful."
A gofundme page has been set up to help pay for Diaz's surgery which is scheduled for October 9th.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report.)
