John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna (Gigi) were among nine people who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning in Calabasas, California. We are now learning the identity of one of the other crash victims.
John Altobelli, the head baseball coach at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, was also on the helicopter and died.
Gathering at Orange Coast College for John Altobelli. OCC baseball coach. He was on that helicopter with #Kobe pic.twitter.com/kgr3bK3lJE
— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) January 26, 2020
OCC baseball team mourning loss of coach John Altobelli in helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/KqwP0xZVG1
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) January 26, 2020
Altobelli has three children according to his profile on Orange Coast College’s website. Son J.J., a baseball scout for the Boston Red Sox, daughter Alexis, and daughter Alyssa.
Alyssa was a teammate of Gigi on their Mamba Academy basketball team and was later reported to have died in the crash, along with her mother, Keri.
John Altobelli was entering his 24th season as head coach at Orange Coast College. He led the team to two state titles, and a national No. 1 ranking for much of the 2012 season.
From 2012 to 2014, Altobelli was the head coach of the Cape Cod League’s Brewster Whitecaps. He received some tributes online.
Keeps getting worse. Played under him in the Cape and was as genuine as they get. Alto just wanted everyone to show out and have fun. https://t.co/nCDrlrXkjJ
— Wade Wass (@WadeWass_10) January 26, 2020
RIP, John. He was always very gracious with his time when he managed in the @Official_CCBL & I was working on prospect reports. Managed a still-raw Aaron Judge in 2012. "The sky's the limit for him," John said. https://t.co/j214MCg1qa
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) January 26, 2020
A press conference held Sunday afternoon by Los Angeles County sheriff Alex Villanueva stated that nine people died in the crash — eight people plus the pilot. All original reports said five people had died.
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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims
Tributes to Kobe:
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences
More coverage:
– Media errors, rumors, poor judgment run rampant in reporting of Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant checked in on Shaq’s son Shareef morning of helicopter crash
– No, Rick Fox did not die in helicopter crash that killed Kobe, Gianna Bryant
– Lakers fans start memorial to Kobe Bryant outside Staples Center
– Kobe Bryant’s last tweet was congratulating LeBron James on passing him
– Sports world stunned over Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash – dead at 41
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