We Play For Coach Mike 

WHO WAS MICHAEL S. MALIA? Often referred to as "Coach Mike", Michael S. Malia coached for National Flag Football from 2010 - until April 2nd, 2016 when he unfortunately passed away from a heart attack at the age of 43. Mike leaves behind Jennifer Malia and son Owen. Mike was one of the greatest souls to walk this earth. When coach would walk into a room of total strangers, he would work tirelessly to ensure that everybody was having a great time. Through his hilarious jokes and endless stories, he was sure to leave a positive impact on everybody that he encountered.

 

Coach Mike and our Executive Director, Bryan Ledin, met in 2010 when they were both assigned to same flag football team in Michigan to begin their coaching careers. Since the moment those two met, they were inseparable on the football field, participating in over 20 sessions of flag football together, including capturing numerous charity, state and NFL FLAG regional titles.

 

The GRIP IT & RIP IT TOUR was created in his honor. Partial proceeds from this tour will be donated to the National Flag Football Association, a 501c-3 organization, which will be formed to allow for children, no matter their financial situation to have the ability to play the game he loved so much. With this tour, we honor you coach! We miss you buddy.