Mike Vaz death: Former Springfield basketball player dies at 38

A former basketball player from Springfield dies at age 38.  We are sorry for the loss to the Vaz family and the entire Springfield community.

Mike Vaz, the name will continue to be cemented not only within this city’s history and future but within the many lives that you have touched along the way.

Moreover, the death news of Mike Vaz is a significant loss for the Springfield community, as he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered by those who followed his career.

Also, the news of his untimely death has saddened fans and loved ones. Here’s what we know about him and Mike Vaz cause of death.

Mike Vaz died at 38

According to official reports, Mike Vaz, a former star in both football and basketball for the boys at Commerce who was paralyzed in a 2013 shooting, passed away early on Friday morning at the age of 38.

Therefore, this heartbreaking news of Mike’s passing was announced on Michael Vaz’s official Facebook Page by his family members. Read the following statement where they wrote,

Who was Mike Vaz?

Vaz, who was inducted into the Springfield Public High Schools Sports Hall of Fame in 2013, was one of Springfield’s best high school athletes.

Vaz was the lone recipient of the region’s individual football and basketball player of the year accolades when he was voted The Republican’s 2002–03 Male High School Athlete of the Year.

The native of Springfield, who graduated from the High School of Commerce in 2003, is the only athlete to have ever won both the main football and basketball accolades in the area.

Honors for Football

Vaz received the 2002 Norman Dagenais and Angelo Bertelli honors for football, which was given to the most valuable and exceptional players in Western Massachusetts.

After his senior basketball season, Vaz won the John “Honey” Lahovich Award for the region as the best player for the 2002–03 season.

Gary Mindell, the basketball coach for Commerce, once observed, “When you talk about high school sports in Western Massachusetts, certain names stand the test of time because of what they accomplished.”

“I believe Mike has a special place in the history of Western Massachusetts,” Vaz, a quarterback who stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds, helped Commerce win three Super Bowl championships in four years before he graduated in 2003.

Former Commerce football coach Todd Kosel said,

Kosel remarked, “He was a natural athlete; he did stuff you couldn’t coach. His athleticism was a unique talent. Universities like the University of Massachusetts and Northeastern University offered Vaz football scholarships.

Kosel stated, “Syracuse wanted him to attend prep school before wanting to grant him a scholarship after that. Vaz briefly attended American International College and the University of Massachusetts, but he didn’t participate in any athletics while he was there.

Kosel declared, “He’s had a tough life.” “I was there for him when his father passed away. However, he was able to concentrate on (good) things when it came to athletics.

Vaz ran for 975 yards and 12 touchdowns in addition to throwing for 936 yards and 15 scores as a senior. He was selected for the state’s Super 26 All-State team while playing safety on defense. Roberson remarked, “Athletically, he is a freak.”

It was entirely natural. He simply left and played. He was not exercising for it. Mike averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks a game as a forward for the Red Raiders in basketball.

Mike scored 1,274 points throughout his tenure in high school, which put him fifth on the school’s all-time scoring chart.

He was a forward in a guard’s body, Mindell observed, “a big fish in a small pond.” Like Larry Bird, he was able to predict a play. His significance in Western Massachusetts history is noteworthy.

Regarding Mike Vaz’s condition after being shot 

Michael Vaz is in critical condition after the Wellington Street shooting. (Feb. 08, 2013)

A shooting occurred early on Friday morning on Wellington Street in Springfield, badly injuring the former two-sport star from High School of Commerce.

Vaz was said to have non-life-threatening injuries and was in critical condition. He was brought to Baystate Medical Centre after being shot at least twice in the arm and shoulder and is expected to make a full recovery, according to Springfield Police Capt. Thomas Trites.

Life After Injuries

When Vaz was shot and seriously hurt on the evening of February 8, 2013, his life took an unexpected turn. in a domestic shooting on Springfield’s Wellington Street.

The finest high school athlete in the city, Vaz, 28, was inducted into the Springfield Public High Schools Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and is essentially paralyzed from the shoulders down.

He can raise his arms, but he is unable to use his fingers while he sits in an electric wheelchair that he cannot control on his own. Additionally, the legs that propelled him to dominance in basketball and football a decade ago are no longer functional.

Vaz has been residing in the Forest Park condominium of DeJuan Brown and Chelan Brown, the owners and founders of AWAKE, the volunteer organization that strives to reduce violence in the city, ever since he was released from the hospital recovery treatment center.

“I’ve got a good group of people around me. That’s the best part,” he said. To have a close circle of friends to care for him, he said, is a blessing from God. His message is simple; don’t mess around with guns and it’s never OK to beat someone you love.

“A lot of dudes don’t understand that. They think they got to hit her to prove their masculinity. A lot of these dudes were raised differently than I was,” he said.

Mike Vaz cause of death

The family politely requests prayers instead of individual condolences as well as space to mourn and come to grips with the devastating loss.

As per the official reports, it was confirmed that he passed away following an illness. Other than that, neither his family members nor web media have provided any information regarding the cause of his passing.

We’ll update this article as soon as additional information becomes available. Moreover, the family’s privacy must be respected even though attempts are being made to compile pertinent information and promptly deliver the most recent updates.

Born Winner: The Highs and Lows of Mike Vaz 

The born winner is the book by Mike Vaz, The Highs and Lows of Mike Vaz takes you on a journey through his life – his childhood, his sports career, his scandals, and the fateful night that almost led to his undoing.

Fans and loved ones mourn Mike Vaz’s death

Calvin Red Angel DanielsClarke

My deepest sympathies to the Vaz Family, my family my first cousins Massachusetts family please accept my condolences. This hits hard a pic that I will cherish, Mike Mike superstar of Springfield, the legend! Fly High, my guy. You fought a good fight, Rizzo. Rest in power 

Gina Billie Gean Belvin

Omg, Rest In Peace, Mike Vaz. We just spoke on my birthday 6/24. And we had huge plans for the DBN Youth program Wow Mike Mike I thought we had time Mike Vaz you are a Legend I’m so glad we had an opportunity to give you your flowers while you were here 

Robert Kelly

Springfield icon! Gone but not soon forgotten. I know you are back to doing Eastbays, bullying dudes on the field, and putting on a show. Heaven got to have a playground. Charming some unwitting angels with that infectious bigger-than-life personality You will be missed, but left us with so many memories, laughs, and stories for decades to come.SIP my guy.

During this difficult time, our thoughts and sympathies go out to Mike Vaz’s family, friends, and loved ones. May they find comfort and strength as they mourn his loss.

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