08/06/2026
A few people that were not able to attend have asked me what my message was Monday for Malachi.
Here it is. I couldn't get through it Monday and I still can't.
Luckily my village was with me and handled it.
Thank you all for coming. It's comforting to see all the lives that Malachi touched and to know this family will not walk this path alone. From my family, and the entire Riverbend Lacrosse family, we offer our deepest condolences to the Hodges family.
My name is Coach Dave and I was part of the Riverbend Lacrosse coaching staff that had the pleasure of coaching Malachi the past 3 years.
We shouldn't have to be here today. We should be watching him play with his siblings, go to prom, and battle Harlan for faceoffs.
Malachi was a shining light to so many and always smiling. He was an amazing kid, funny, smart, athletic and a friend to so many. He never caused any problems on the team, just wanted to play, and would always ask what he could do to get better. It was always "yes coach" "thanks coach" and with that big smile.
His freshman year we brought him up for Varsity playoffs and it was impossible to get him off the field. He just wanted to keep playing. Coach Becton and I would talk about needing more players like that and compare every freshman to that standard. He just loved being out there.
He was a quiet kid at practice except when he was chirping me about being a 49er fan. This past season was especially brutal with the Seahawks destroying the 49ers in the playoffs and then of course winning the Super Bowl. Even in his chirping he was respectful, and he knew how much I hated him wearing all that Seattle gear to practice. Every day he wore that ugly Seahawk beanie. Now I hope Seattle wins every Super Bowl from now on.
I was at a lacrosse tournament this summer and between games I was able to see him take one faceoff, win it, run past everyone and score. I walked by his dad and said that was the fastest I've ever seen him run. I'm going to miss seeing him out on the field. If I knew that was the last time I'd see him I would have hugged him and never let go.
Malachi is the third lacrosse player in our area in the past two and a half years to succumb to their inner demons. That is three too many.
We as parents and coaches always preach about having an open door and a safe place to talk. The world is getting tougher and tougher, earlier and earlier especially for young men. It's ok to not be ok, just know there's a village to help us all through it. If you need help or a shoulder to lean on-we are here, make us prove it. A calming voice from outside someone's immediate circle may be all they need.
I'm sorry I couldn't be that for Malachi. He will forever be missed by so many and never forgotten.
In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind.
Faceoff- #21-Malachi Hodges
2nd team all District FOGO
Rest in peace
