University of Idaho student assistant coach and former West Valley recruit Jace Malek lost his battle with cancer Sunday morning, one year after his diagnosis.
The University of Idaho confirmed Malek’s death with a statement offering condolences to his family.
“I am thankful Jace Malek was part of our team,” Idaho head coach Paul Petrino said in the university statement. “I know everyone feels the same. Jace made me a better father, better coach and a better person.”
Malek excelled as a fullback and defensive end at West Valley High School in Spokane. The high school recruit was also a state wrestling finalist in Washington for three years straight.
Petrino and offensive line coach Kris Cinkovich recruited Malek heavily after West Valley played Pullman High School during Malek’s senior season. Petrino’s son was a quarterback for the Greyhounds at the time.
“We got back and said, ‘We need to figure out who No. 99 is for West Valley,’” Petrino said in an October interview with Sports Illustrated.
After reviewing the senior’s highlight reel in depth, the Vandal football program offered Malek a scholarship.
The recruit was diagnosed with osteosarcoma the day before National Signing Day in February 2015, after visiting an orthopedic specialist in regards to lingering pain in his hip.
Despite the devastating news, the University of Idaho and Vandal football head coach Paul Petrino honored the original scholarship offer to Malek.
“I called him and said, ‘Jace, you’ve already been part of this family for a long time, all you need to worry about is taking care of yourself,”’ Petrino said in the Sports Illustrated interview.
Malek joined Idaho during the fall semester as a student assistant coach after doctors attempted to remove the tumor with a right leg amputation.
In the team’s opener against Ohio University, Malek participated in the pregame ceremony at midfield as an honorary team captain. The college freshman donned a black Vandal jersey with the No. 99 on the back.
After the team’s 27-13 homecoming victory against Louisiana-Monroe Oct. 24, Petrino presented Malek with the game ball. In a video of the post-game activities, Petrino can be seen calling Malek the “most special kid I’ve ever been around.”
In the Homecoming post-game interview, Idaho sophomore quarterback Matt Linehan spoke highly of Malek’s impact on the program.
“I’m never going to forget about him as I go forward through life,” Linehan said during the Oct. 24 press conference. “What he’s gone through, then to continue to have a smile on his face every day, despite what he’s going through, it’s pretty incredible.”
Petrino said Malek would leave a lasting impression on the program.
“I am grateful and honored that he was a part of my life,” Petrino said in the university statement. “We love him and will miss him.”
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom