Local soccer star killed

Adam Candee

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002 | 9:25 a.m.

Joe Zaher filled 18 years with vibrance and accomplishment, both in athletics and in life. A talented MVP on the soccer field and a person that his college coach called "everybody's best friend" off it, the Bishop Gorman graduate appeared to have the world in front of him.

Sadly, that world will never discover what more Zaher had to offer. The 18-year-old Oregon State freshman died Sunday night in Las Vegas of complications stemming from injuries sustained in an auto accident early Sunday morning.

"I don't know if I have any tears left," Victor Arbelaez, Zaher's coach at Gorman, said. "This kid has left a big hole in my heart."

At approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Zaher was riding to a late-night bowling event with two friends when their vehicle went out of control on slick roads and hit a pole. Zaher's leg was crushed and he suffered major internal injuries.

Zaher underwent nearly eight hours of surgery, but doctors could not save him.

"Joe's family and friends have our deepest sympathies, and they will be in our thoughts and prayers," said Oregon State athletic director Bob De Carolis. "Joe will be deeply missed."

Zaher recently completed an enormously successful freshman campaign with the Oregon State soccer team, earning Pac-10 Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He scored 25 points, including four game-winning goals, and helped lead the Beavers to a school-record 13 wins and their first appearance in the NCAA College Cup.

"(Joe) grew so much in the last four months as a person and as an athlete," Beavers coach Dana Taylor said. "Joe will be dearly missed on the field, but more so off the field for who he was and what he brought to the team as an individual."

Zaher shined with the Gaels during his high school career, leading Gorman to the 4A state playoffs and earning Southwest Division MVP and All-City honors as a senior. Arbelaez said he relied on Zaher for both production and leadership.

"We always had that unique relationship," an emotional Arbelaez said. "We always had a repsect between us."

Zaher is survived by his parents, Jack and Maureen Zaher; brothers Mike, Zac, and Sean Zaher; and sister Alle Zaher. Zaher's grandfather is UNLV team orthopedist Dr. Gerald Higgins. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Joe Zaher Scholarship Fund.

To make a donation, checks should be made payable to Jack Zaher, with a note stating that the money is intended for the scholarship fund. Checks can be dropped off or mailed to Oregon State Men's Soccer, Gill Coliseum, Room 132, Corvallis, Ore., 97331.