The Volleyball
Community lost a true friend recently. Mike Smarrelli, who
supported the sport as a player, coach and fan, passed away suddenly on
May 13, 2003. Mike began to play in the Montgomery County area in
the early 1990s and enthusiastically took on both indoor and outdoor volleyball.
He could often be found cheering for the women’s volleyball team at his
alma mater the University of Maryland. For the past five years, he
coached a Women’s BB USAV team named Team Tuaca. He selflessly dedicated
his time, energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge to the team, not in hopes of
financial gain or accolades but rather for the love of the sport and the
enjoyment of spending time with his friends.
Mike was also an enthusiastic cyclist, logging
thousands of miles locally and touring numerous countries by bike.
Mike was a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest, touching many
people’s lives in the process. The sport of volleyball, the Chesapeake
Region, his friends, teammates, family, and colleagues are richer for having
known him. He will be greatly missed.
Mike’s family has suggested that friends who
would like to honor Mike’s memory may make a donation to the American
Heart Association, P.O. Box 17025, Baltimore, MD 21297-0191. |
