Chris Vasquez Memorial Scholarship
Donation protected
My father Chris Vasquez was remarkable man of many talents and interests. Not only was he a great soccer coach, mentor and teacher, but he also possessed a vast aptitude for languages, music, poetry and song lyrics. He was a self-taught musician, naturalist, outdoorsman and fisherman. Above all of these interests he loved to teach, play and coach soccer.
During his tenure at Madison West High School he was fortunate to have taught and coached some amazing young men. Together they won 352 games over 21 years against some of the best teams in WI and IL. Coach Vasquez amassed Eight Big 8 titles, 5 WIAA State Tournament berths, 3 Indian State Cup Championships, and many more honors. Chris coached numerous All-City, All Conference, and All-State student athlete honorees along with 1 true All-American who played 3 years with Major League Soccer’s DC United, the top US Professional League. At this time Coach Vasquez holds the title as the most winningest coach among all sports played at Madison West High School.
However, there is one thing in life that Coach Vasquez held dearer than soccer and it was his love of people. He truly believed in giving back to the world and the community in which he lived. Coach Vasquez volunteered on missions to Central and South America and was a member of the Ecumenical Refugee Council along with The Mary J McCormick Foundation. He was a past member of the Steel Workers Union and up until his death, the Madison Teachers Union. Upon his death, it was his final wish to donate his body to those in need and in doing so, two men from Wisconsin have been given the ability to see again as well as countless others have benefited from his donation.
Coach Vasquez tried to live a good life by caring about people and treating them with respect. Following Chris’s funeral his family gathered at an Irish Pub to toast him. His grandson, nine year old Cole led the toast with a story about his grandpa. According to Cole, one time when he was watching his grandpa fix something on his car he remarked to him, "Grandpa, you can fix anything." And his grandpa said, I wish that were true but I can't." To which Cole said, "Sure you can." His grandpa looked softly at him and said," I can't fix a broken heart." Cole understood.
Coach Vasquez strived to educate his players on the importance of ones obligation to develop and honor their individual talents in order to contribute to a higher level of play and to the overall success for not just themselves, but for the ultimate betterment of their team. He was stout in the demand for his player’s highest excellence (their personal best) of play, behavior, and academic achievements both on the field and off.
***Donations made to this GoFundMe page in memory of Coach Vasquez are directed to the “Chris Vasquez Scholarship Fund” in care of The Madison Community Foundation, Account Number 1090790 and 100% of all donations raised are used to provide scholarships to students who study world languages, are an active soccer player and have a post high school plan. Please donate knowing that you are helping young people succeed in life***
Coach Vasquez gave everyone his best. Please, PLAY IT FORWARD!
During his tenure at Madison West High School he was fortunate to have taught and coached some amazing young men. Together they won 352 games over 21 years against some of the best teams in WI and IL. Coach Vasquez amassed Eight Big 8 titles, 5 WIAA State Tournament berths, 3 Indian State Cup Championships, and many more honors. Chris coached numerous All-City, All Conference, and All-State student athlete honorees along with 1 true All-American who played 3 years with Major League Soccer’s DC United, the top US Professional League. At this time Coach Vasquez holds the title as the most winningest coach among all sports played at Madison West High School.
However, there is one thing in life that Coach Vasquez held dearer than soccer and it was his love of people. He truly believed in giving back to the world and the community in which he lived. Coach Vasquez volunteered on missions to Central and South America and was a member of the Ecumenical Refugee Council along with The Mary J McCormick Foundation. He was a past member of the Steel Workers Union and up until his death, the Madison Teachers Union. Upon his death, it was his final wish to donate his body to those in need and in doing so, two men from Wisconsin have been given the ability to see again as well as countless others have benefited from his donation.
Coach Vasquez tried to live a good life by caring about people and treating them with respect. Following Chris’s funeral his family gathered at an Irish Pub to toast him. His grandson, nine year old Cole led the toast with a story about his grandpa. According to Cole, one time when he was watching his grandpa fix something on his car he remarked to him, "Grandpa, you can fix anything." And his grandpa said, I wish that were true but I can't." To which Cole said, "Sure you can." His grandpa looked softly at him and said," I can't fix a broken heart." Cole understood.
Coach Vasquez strived to educate his players on the importance of ones obligation to develop and honor their individual talents in order to contribute to a higher level of play and to the overall success for not just themselves, but for the ultimate betterment of their team. He was stout in the demand for his player’s highest excellence (their personal best) of play, behavior, and academic achievements both on the field and off.
***Donations made to this GoFundMe page in memory of Coach Vasquez are directed to the “Chris Vasquez Scholarship Fund” in care of The Madison Community Foundation, Account Number 1090790 and 100% of all donations raised are used to provide scholarships to students who study world languages, are an active soccer player and have a post high school plan. Please donate knowing that you are helping young people succeed in life***
Coach Vasquez gave everyone his best. Please, PLAY IT FORWARD!
Organizer and beneficiary
John David Vasquez
Organizer
DeForest, WI
Martha Vasquez
Beneficiary