High-school basketball coach Drew Hall, 36, found dead after going missing on hike in California
Drew Hall, 36, had joined his in-laws at Sequoia National Park on Saturday, only to be reported missing later in the day after being separated from his hiking group.
One day later, Hall was pronounced dead after his body was found below the Sawtooth Peak mountain, according to a release by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. He leaves behind a wife and two young daughters.
Authorities said the basketball coach, who was described as 'fit and active', separated from his group earlier in the day while 'hiking in very rugged terrain' and planned to later rejoin them. Yet he was reported missing later that night after he didn't return as scheduled.
'Park rangers and supporting agencies began searching for Hall Sunday morning,' authorities added. 'Tragically, his body was found at around 3pm by friends and family who were searching the area on foot. Recovery efforts were completed this afternoon.'
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks added that Hall was the fifth fatality to occur within the parks this year.
According to ABC30, his brother Brent and a dozen friends went to look for him when he was reported missing.
'Having these people around me was important to me. We found out, obviously, there's nothing else we could do. We looked down at the mountain, and there were five more people coming to help,' Brent said.
Hall was a longtime boys basketball coach at Golden West High School in Visalia, where he spent over a decade.
He told the Visalia Times Delta last year: 'I love Golden West. I love the school. I love the admin. I love just the whole culture, all the other coaches. It's a great place to be.
'It's just been a blessing, a privilege. I don't take it for granted. Not many people make it to 10 years anymore for various reasons. It's definitely a blessing.'
This year Hall was preparing to take on a new role as an instructional coach for elementary PE teachers in Visalia Unified. Yet Brent says his brother's greatest job was that of a father.
'Anyone who knows Drew, his greatest passion, whether it was teaching or coaching, was being a dad. So, it was very evident, but that was his passion and that's what he loved to be,' he added.
In a statement given to that publication, Visalia Unified School District Superintendent Kirk Shrum said: 'We are deeply saddened by Drew's passing and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. The district has communicated supports and resources to those staff and students impacted by his loss and will continue to make grief support services available during the weeks and months ahead.'
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