Community rallies behind family of Cabrillo High soccer player who died last week
A local nonprofit is hosting a soccer tournament to raise money for the family of Brian Gonzalez, who also will be honored during the Cabrillo baseball team’s first weekend home game next month.
One week after Brian Gonzalez, 15, died after suffering a medical emergency during a soccer game at Cabrillo High School, the community continues to rally around his family as they grieve.
Gonzalez died Friday, Jan. 17, after collapsing during a game against Poly High School. The next day, hundreds of community members including student-athletes from Poly and other Long Beach high schools gathered at Cabrillo for a vigil.
Since then, a GoFundMe set up by a family friend has raised nearly $21,400. The family also has received direct donations via Venmo and Zelle.
“We are honored to have such an immense amount of community support,” Brian’s uncle Timothy Guzman told the Watchdog Friday. “The community has been stepping up for our family during this hard time. We greatly appreciate it.”
And the community is not done yet.
Local nonprofit Long Beach United is putting together a soccer tournament fundraiser for Sunday, Jan. 26. The event is slated to run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Drake Park synthetic park.
The event is wholly donation-based, according to Elvira Quintana, who founded LBU in May 2022. To enter the tournament, suggested donations for teams is $60, while individuals are encouraged to donate $5 to enter.
“This was something brought up to me by the kids who played with him in this league,” said Elvira Quintana, who founded LBU in May 2022. “I'm just the middle person helping them get closure with their teammate.”
The event will have food for sale, including pozole, tacos and hot dogs (some bacon-wrapped) GG’s Creationz is donating soccer balls, while Color Splash Balloons is donating tables and chairs to the event. Quintana said the event needs additional donations, including water, Gatorade, sodas, snacks, plates, napkins, utensils and candy.
Quintana is also asking for local businesses to donate items for a raffle.
Next month, the Cabrillo baseball program will honor Brian ahead of varsity’s Feb. 22 game against Valley Christian, the team's first weekend home game of the season. Before the 11 a.m. start, there will be a moment of silence and the Cabrillo team will adorn their helmets with stickers of Brian’s initials and his soccer number, 36.
The family has been invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, but they are still considering the opportunity as they navigate their grief, Timothy Guzman said.
During the game, 20% of concession sales will go to Brian’s family as well as 100% of the tip jar.
Anyone wishing to support the family can donate money via GoFundMe as well as Zelle or Venmo to Guzman208@yahoo.com.
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