Dobson mourns death of soccer coach to virus
Mesa Dobson boys soccer players circled together, arms wrapped around shoulders, before and after games to remember assistant coach Manny Arias. Arias, a well-respected Valley club and high school coach for more than 20 years and in his first season helping out at Dobson, was admitted into the hospital for the start of the high school season with COVID-19.
On Feb. 22, the beloved coach died. He was 66.
Dobson (8-1-1), which plays its final regular-season game Tuesday night against Gilbert Perry, enters the state soccer playoffs next week with a chance for a top-eight seed. It was ranked No.6 in 6A in the Arizona Interscholastic Association playoff rankings Tuesday.
“Manny was a great coach and mentor to the boys on the Dobson soccer team,” head coach Mike Sobek said. “My boys all looked up to him with the highest regard. He worked hard with them and pushed them to become better because he genuinely wanted to see them all succeed. We often talked about how special this team was and the talent that we had, and he helped them to grow and mature.”
Dobson Principal Gabbi Buckley could see that dedication in the offseason when he came on in his first season to help out with the boys soccer program.
“Although he was ill as soon as the season started, he worked with our boys soccer program in the off season,” Buckley said. “Many of our boys have been coached by him in club practice and were looking forward to having him as a coach this year.”
After he found out that Arias died, Sobek said the players got together to get shirts to honor him and made the decision to play knowing that is what he would want. The shirts say on the back, “We play hard, so you can rest easy.”
“I think that is a fitting tribute to someone who has been so impactful to this team and the community, and someone who has dedicated his life so passionately to this sport,” Sobek said. “The first game back was very emotional for the boys, but I think they went out and played hard and left it all on the field as they probably had their best game start to finish that night against Williams Field connecting on every level.”
Dobson won that game 8-0, days after Arias’ death.
“Afterwards there were several tears, and you could tell that the team was happy about the win and overwhelmed with the emotions surrounding the game,” Sobek said. “We will keep playing to honor Coach Manny.”
Arias touched the life of Mesa head boys soccer coach T.J. Hagen, who credited Arias for giving him a shot to play on his professional team the Arizona Sahuaros in 2000.
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“He came to Mesa High looking for a place to train and have games,” Hagen said, “and we were able to accommodate the team. He told me I should come and try out for the team, which I did and signed a contract. I even got paid.
“I started the first game of the season as a sweeper. I will never forget the chance he took on me, a biology teacher and varsity soccer coach, who played club ball and in college for ASU and in men’s leagues on the weekend. I owe him a major debt of gratitude for that. He worked us hard. We had practice five days a week for almost three hours, which included conditioning and exercise, not to mention the public appearances on weekends to try to excite fans about our upcoming matches. He truly took the opportunity to show us what it takes to be a professional soccer player.”
“Many of the Valley clubs and players were influenced by Manny in one way or another, from the obvious onfield training and play to the flair and love for the game that he always had,” Hagen said. “You could always find him out on the field at club tournaments.
“We heard the devastating news and several of my own players expressed sorrow for his passing, and I was able to share my own personal experiences with Manny with my players.”
COVID-19 also led to the death of former Tucson High School boys soccer coach Imael Arce, who died on Jan. 28 at the age of 51. He led Tucson for 14 seasons, leading the Badgers to the 2014 state title.
A GoGoFundMe page has been set up to help the Arias family with funeral expenses.