SLO High varsity soccer coach calls Alex Maier 'strong', 'diligent' and 'hard working'

Posted: Jan 31, 2013 6:52 PM by Connie Tran, KSBY News

Classmates and staff at San Luis Obispo High School are mourning the death of 17-year old Alex Maier, a senior and varsity soccer player.

Maier died on Wednesday night just before 5:30pm, almost two days after he was in a major car accident in San Luis Obispo. The California Highway Patrol said Maier's 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck collided with a 1992 BMW 325is at the Morro Bay offramp on southbound Highway 101 on Monday night, and his car flipped onto its roof as it made contact with the freeway guardrail. CHP said no drugs or alcohol were involved, and it doesn't seem texting was a factor either.

SLO High's head varsity boys soccer coach, Frank Marotti Jr., said on Thursday that he and the team are mourning Maier's death.

"He's probably one of the strongest kids I've ever been around coach wise. Always really diligent, always really hard working, always wanting to grasp the concepts I was throwing at him," said Marotti.

Marotti said Maier was on his way home from the 8-0 soccer game against Saint Joseph High School on Monday night, before the crash occurred. He said parents immediately called him, and he rushed to Maier's family's side at the hospital.

He said, "To be honest, right away, I know Alex is a strong kid. It was kinda hard to really grasp, I was just trying to stay calm."

Marotti said the last conversation he had with Maier was at the soccer game, and they were talking about none other subject, but soccer- Alex's most favorite sport. Marotti said Maier's death is not fair, but the Tigers, he said, will move on and play in memory and constant remembrance of Maier.

SLO High official said the boy's varsity soccer game is scheduled to play Paso Robles High School on Friday night at 4:30p, and it will be in honor of Maier. The admission will be free, and they encourage the community to go to the game to support. People will be able to donate to the Alex Maier Memorial Scholarship Fund at the game as well. SLO High School will also be putting on a memorial on Saturday at 2pm at the soccer field on campus, to remember Maier. The event is open the public.