AKRON, Ohio — The Akron community is grieving following the loss of one of its brightest leaders and educators.
Akron Public Schools confirmed Tuesday that Soni Haslam, the head football coach at North High School, has died. Officials have not shared details regarding what happened, but released a statement on the athletic department's Twitter page.
"Our hearts are broken," the statement read. "Coach Sonil Haslam was not only a coach to our young men, but a friend, a mentor, an advocate, a father figure, and an unwavering supporter of his guys both on and off the field."
Haslam worked as an assistant coach at various schools in Greater Akron for two decades and was also transition coordinator at the YMCA Phoenix School. In 2016, he was hired to lead the Vikings football program, his first head-coaching job at the high school level.
Unfortunately, Haslam could not turn around North's fortunes on the football field, winning just one game (a one-point triumph over Firestone in 2019) in 56 tries. However, he won universal praise for his leadership and integrity both with the team and with others, such as when he and the rest of the Vikings had to deal with the tragic murder of defensive lineman Kanyae Lamb this past spring.
"His legacy will live on in the hundreds and hundreds of youth who benefited from his positive impact in their lives," North's athletic department wrote.
Several of Haslam's colleagues — including some of his rivals from the Akron City Series — also took to Twitter to mourn his passing.
