News

Alumnus’ death affects faculty, students

Nick Diaz (left), pictured at the 1995 Alumni Day event where he was named Alumnus of the Year, died following surgery on March 6. / file photo by Kevin Holland
Nick Diaz (left), pictured at the 1995 Alumni Day event where he was named Alumnus of the Year, died following surgery on March 6. / file photo by Kevin Holland

by Ryan Sones
Staff Writer
and
Echelle Avelar
News Editor

Nick Diaz Jr., alumnus from the University of La Verne class of 1953, died March 6 while having angioplasty surgery at the Intercommunity Medical Center in Covina.

Diaz lived in West Covina and attended Bonita High School from which he graduated in 1946. He is survived by his wife Connie.

Diaz received his master’s from Cal State Los Angeles and was a counselor at Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights.

He played baseball and football while attending La Verne.

“Nick was a big man. He had a big memory and he would always help me out with what’s going on around ULV when I didn’t know,” said former head coach Roland Ortmayer.

“Nick had big hands, he was always ready to loan a helping hand. Nick had a big heart, he would share his heart with anyone around him at La Verne,” said Ortmayer.

“Nick was Mr. University of La Verne. He loved his alma mater, participated in many events and was just a superb representative of the University. He did a lot not only in the athletic sense, he also recruited a lot of students from high school. We will certainly miss him,” said President Steve Morgan.

One of the many things Diaz accomplished while being an active alumnus of ULV was donating his time and money to the creation of Corni’s Corner. This snack bar, in Ortmayer Stadium, was donated in memory of Cornelia Ortmayer, who died in July.

“Nick was certainly the most unselfish alumni I had ever met. He always just gave back so much. Nick was the reason Corni’s Corner is what it is today. We will surely miss him. He was a great asset to the La Verne Athletic Association. Nick was a crucial recruiting instrument guiding numerous kids from Wilson High School into coming to La Verne. I am sure to many students Nick is the primary reason they came to this school,” said Physical Education Department Chair Rex Huigens.

Being a counselor at Wilson High School, Diaz spoke proudly about La Verne and all the members of the University.

“Nick Diaz will be greatly missed by ULV. Nick spearheaded many athletic projects including the resurrection of Corni’s Corner. Nick was the ultimate La Verne graduate,” said head football coach Don Morel.

Diaz was loved by many of the faculty and staff had nothing but positive things to say about this caring individual.

“He was a guy that would volunteer to help with anything. Nick spearheaded and bullheaded many of La Verne’s athletic projects. Corni’s death primed Nick to create a permanent place for Corni’s Corner. He had just began working with ULV hall of fame for last years selection. The ULV program will miss the effort of a person like Nick. Nick was always ready to help anyone, he was just a La Verne guy in every way,” said Athletic Director Jim Paschal.

Ryan Sones
Other Stories
Echelle Avelar, Sports Editor
Echelle Avelar
Other Stories
Kevin Holland
Other Stories
Previous article
Cuts hit department budgets
Next article
Diversity films provide new outlook

Latest Stories

Related articles

Baseball

New minor league team touches down in Ontario

The Ontario Tower Buzzers held their weekly Family Sunday event Aug. 23 at ONT Field.
Soccer

Athletes reject ‘no pain, no gain’ mind-set

While the motto's purpose is to push perseverance, it frequently pushes burnout instead.
Baseball

Baseball and softball end seasons at SCIAC tournament

The baseball and softball teams both saw their seasons end last weekend in their respective Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason tournaments.
Baseball

Leopards sweep Senior Day doubleheader, head to SCIAC tournament

The Leopards dominated during their Senior Day doubleheader against Redlands at Ben Hines Field on Saturday, bouncing back from a series-opening loss to the Bulldogs on May 1. Game one’s final score was 9-2, and game two's score was 6-2.