Boys’ basketball: Oxnard Santa Clara coach dies

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Michael Sandoval, the boys’ basketball coach at Oxnard Santa Clara and chairman of the school’s social science department, died Friday morning at a Ventura hospital after a blood clot went into a lung, said Santa Clara Vice Principal Nancy O’Sullivan. He was 39.

Sandoval had undergone surgery for an achilles tendon injury last week. Students and faculty were informed of his death today. O’Sullivan said everyone was ‘completely shocked.’

Counselors from neighborhood public schools came to offer support.

Sandoval, a Stanford graduate, had been a teacher at Santa Clara for nine years and was entering his seventh year as basketball coach.

He is survived by his father Henry; mother Evangeline; 8-year-old daughter Megan; former wife Alyson, and four sisters.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

-- Eric Sondheimer