Matt Limón was golfing in a late August tournament for the Santa Barbara Police Activities League when tragedy struck at Santa Barbara Golf Club.
Limón, a well-known community figure with American Riviera Bank’s downtown branch, had been looking forward to this annual fun outing with friends.
Life was busy in the banking world, plus Limón’s a volunteer youth football coach this time of year, with most of his free time — after work and Saturdays, that is — devoted to practice, strategy sessions and games.
On the par 4, 422-yard, Hole No. 7, Limón’s cellphone began blowing up with calls and texts.
He politely stepped away to check, and learned that Rich Cervantez, one of his closest friends, had just died suddenly from an apparent medical issue.
Rich Was Gone …
“Rich was one of my best buds,” Limón lamented later. “We did nearly everything together.”
Like coaching …
For 16 years, they joined with other volunteers to guide the Saints, a young team in the Santa Barbara Youth Football League.
Everyone was excited for the new season with Cervantez, a locally grown and much-beloved Bishop Diego High School football alum, leading the way, again, as head coach.
Limón was stunned.
In addition to mourning his friend, he now had the tremendous task of telling their team — 22 players, all about age 10 — and their families.
Tight Timing
He notified fellow coaches, Adrian Alcala and Rudy Sanchez, and together they made a plan — one endorsed by league officials as, likely, the best way to ease into this sensitive discussion — as this was all brand-new turf.
“We were very concerned for the players,” Limón said. “This may have been the first time they’ve had to deal with a death of someone they knew so well.”
Former Bishop Diego High School safety Rich Cervantez, left, and tackle Charles Faulding were friends from first grade. They had a chance to line up together again as teammates at the 1992 Bishop Alumni Football Game. Credit: Faulding family photo 
Coach Rich, left, and Coach Matt enjoyed a close friendship and impressive 16-year Santa Barbara Saints coaching run, in support of youngsters in the Santa Barbara Youth Football League. Credit: Limón family photo 
The late coach Rich Cervantez is fourth from the right in the top row in the official team photo of the 2024 Santa Barbara Saints. The team includes, front row from left, Sebastian Gallegos, Santiago Gallegos, Christopher Avila, Cyrus Brunner and Cristian Fuentes; middle row from left, Andrew Alcala, Blake Maxwell, Anthony Gallegos, Caden McGlincey, Elijah Hyman, Ian Cantero, Dylan Hecht, Kove Gray, Damian Gonzalez, Nate Pierce and Xavier Terrazas; and top row from left, Hunter Bryant, Benji Flores, Isiah Hernandez, coach Adrian Alcala, coach Matt Limón, Cervantez, coach Rudy Sanchez, Sebastian Gonzalez, Ethan Sierra and Felix Wilson. Credit: Santa Barbara Youth Football League photo 
The August 2024 Pre-Season Jamboree turned out to be Coach Rich’s last official appearance with the Saints. Credit: Alcala family photo 
Santa Barbara Saints special fan Judi Sotelo was presented with flowers after a recent victory. Sotelo was the girlfriend of the late Saints coach Rich Cervantez, who died in August. Credit: Alcala family photo 
The Saints line up to receive a special gift from the Cervantez family: a cap from Coach Rich’s special collection. Credit: Alcala family photo 
Saints coach Matt Limón models new game day attire, a fitting tribute to his late close friend and coaching partner, Rich Cervantez, who died just before the start of the 2024 season. Credit: Limón family photo
During pre-game warm-ups the next day far from home, many asked as to the whereabouts of Coach Rich.
Limón (as scripted) only responded that he wasn’t able to be here. Then, as usual, they reviewed final offensive and defensive assignments before kick-off.
“We didn’t think it would be fair to tell them before the game — as they would have been too upset to play and they had worked so hard to get here,” Limón explained.
“Plus, we believed Coach Rich would have wanted it this way.”
His obvious absence “likely sparked many more questions, as Coach Rich never missed a game,” added team parent Jamie Alcala, whose son, Andrew, with Coach Adrian, is a seasoned Saints veteran.
“In fact, he always reinforced the importance of always being on time for everything,” she shared.
The Saints played tough, but fell to highly-touted Simi Valley, 20-8.
They gathered post-game just beyond the sidelines. Families, too.
The coaches huddled the almost 80 people together and Limón said a little about the game, then did what he said was “about the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do” and delivered the sad news to a bunch of youngsters:
“I’m sorry to tell you that my good friend and your Coach Rich is now in Heaven,” he said.
Alcala recalled the rawness of the moment.
“Some kids ‘got it’ right away, while it took a little longer to sink in for others, then many tears and hugs,” Alcala said.
“It was so emotional. I’ll never forget it and it made us all come together as a family.”
As they were being consoled, the Saints dedicated their season to Coach Rich.
After a challenging loss the next week, they beat the Fillmore Raiders, 6-0, and found their stride.
Over the course of the season, the Saints — and the entire SBYFL — honored Coach Rich in many heartfelt ways: a special poster, launching balloons with personal messages to him in Heaven, tribute pictures on the league website and more.
The close-knit Saints community — families, past and present — attended the funeral at Holy Cross Catholic Church on the Mesa.
“It was very moving to witness the standing room-only crowd at the service with all the players in their uniforms,” SBYFL president Matthew Boeddeker shared.
“Rich always had a great love for his community and for his players.”
Love and Support Go Both Ways
The Cervantez family — girlfriend Judi Sotelo, mom Martha and older brother Robert — could be seen in the Saturday stands cheering their favorite local team.
“Martha even gave all a memento — a hat from Coach Rich’s prized collection,” Alcala smiled.
And, the Saints, well, they just kept marching along in growing their skills, confidence and camaraderie.
“They certainly bonded and are a fun, close-knit and resilient group,” Limón said.
With their strong season finish — two shutout victories by scores of 20-0 and 32-0, respectively — they ranked fifth of 15 teams and were notified by the Gold Coast YFL of their playoff selection in the National Conference (Freshman Division) game in Los Angeles on Oct. 19.
The Saints gave it their best shot against undefeated Valley Rush (7-0), and came up short, 46-14.
“It was a super tough game and they played their hardest,” according to Alcala. “We are so proud of all of them!”
Afterward, the Saints gave one final team shout-out to their beloved Coach Rich.
“Throughout it all, the coaches have been truly amazing, especially Coach Matt,” Alcala added. “It’s been a season we’ll never forget.”
Boeddeker paid tribute to the coaching staff as well.
“SBYFL is incredibly fortunate to be surrounded with such committed coaches like them,” he said. “They all make such a very positive difference in our community, and in our players’ lives.”
Coach Matt Limón summed it up.
“We’re so proud of these young men — and their families,” he said. “They showcased incredible heart and always gave their best. They never gave up. As much as we wanted to cushion them from the heartache, it seemed more like they were lifting us up by their character and positive, can-do spirit.
“We’ll remember how they handled this unthinkable tragedy and then led us in our long healing process — in more ways than they will ever know.”