ALAMOSA — Erik Melgoza, the activities director, athletics director and head girls basketball coach at Alamosa High School, died Wednesday following complications from a fall at his home on New Year’s Day.
“It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that Alamosa High School Athletic Director Erik Melgoza has passed away after suffering a traumatic head injury from an accident at home on New Year's Day,” said AHS Principal Andy Lavier.
AHS stated it will have counselors on hand for students and staff as needed.
“We understand the shock and tragedy of Erik's sudden loss,” said Alamosa School District Superintendent Diana Jones. “Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Erik's impact on the Alamosa School District will be long lasting. He will be greatly missed. We offer our greatest sympathy to all who are impacted by this tragedy.”
Melgoza was known for being a great coach but is remembered for also being a "great human."
“I had the distinct pleasure of working with Erik the past year and a half in Alamosa,” said Assistant Superintendent Luis Murillo. “Erik was well-known as an excellent coach, athletic director, and coach to many. I got to know Erik as a great human being. I knew that he had won a state championship and many basketball games. I also knew that he was very involved in CHSAA and worked diligently to elevate all students in Alamosa, but what sticks with me the most is that every time I went into his office for any reason, he always had time to listen to me. He always greeted me with a firm handshake and a contagious smile.
“I recall a conversation we had about leadership, family, time commitments, and how he got into school and district leadership because of our love for people and our beliefs in the power of public education,” Murillo added. “Although Erik was always working on some schedule, bus trip, or teacher evaluation, he always made me feel like the most important person to him at that moment. Erik will be greatly missed, but we will make sure his legacy lives on.”
Melgoza had been with AHS since 2018 first as the school's activities and athletics director. He became the girls basketball coach in the 2020-21 season.
While at Alamosa, Melgoza accumulated a coaching record of 23 wins and 19 losses.
Prior to Alamosa, Melgoza was at Lamar High School where he was the girls’ basketball coach. During his time at Lamar he won 159 games and lost 59.
The high point of Melgoza's career was the 2016-17 season when he guided the Lady Savages to the Class 3A state championship. Lamar also had third place finishes in the 2013-14 season as well as his final year at Lamar in 2017-18.
His overall coaching record was 182- 78.
He also was an assistant coach in many other sports while he was at Lamar as well as at Wiley. An interim athletics director and girls basketball coach for AHS had not been determined as of press time.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
ERIK MELGOZA'S COACHING RECORD
2009-10 Lamar 12-8
2010-11 Lamar 11-12
2011-12 Lamar 12-10
2012-13 Lamar 20-4
2013-14 Lamar 25-2 Third at state
2014-15 Lamar 17-7
2015-16 Lamar 15-9
2016-17 Lamar 25-2 State champions
2017-18 Lamar 22-5 Third at state
2020-21 Alamosa 6-7
2021-22 Alamosa 12-10
2022-23 Alamosa 5-2
Record at Lamar 159-59
Record at Alamosa 23-19
Overall record 182-78
