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Vasquez, Track Coach of O.J. Simpson, Dies

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From Staff and Wire Reports

Lou Vasquez, track coach of O.J. Simpson, Ollie Matson and Johnny Mathis during his 32-year career, died Saturday while at his South Lake Tahoe vacation cabin, it was announced Tuesday. He was 68.

His Washington High school teams won five consecutive San Francisco City championships. Matson, also a football great, ran a 47.2 quarter-mile in 1947, an unofficial high school record. Matson later ran the 400 meters in the Olympics.

Mathis was a standout high jumper before gaining even greater fame as a singer.

He leaves his wife of 42 years, Phyllis, five sons and four grandsons.

A rosary is scheduled today and services Thursday.

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