Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Arizona offensive lineman passes away in sleep at 22 years old
Share This Post
Comments
Monday, August 8, 2016 - 3:30pm

TUCSON, Ariz. — Zach Hemmila, a senior offensive lineman for the University of Arizona, has died in his sleep, athletic director Greg Byrne said Monday.

Byrne and Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez told the team of Hemmila's death after practice on Monday morning.

Hemmila was found by a cousin. There was no immediate word on a cause of death.

Rodriguez, wiping away tears, his voice choked with emotion, called Hemmila "a great young man."

"We talked two nights ago," Rodriguez said. "Just out of the blue (he) came down and sat beside me and talked about everything, how happy he was."

A fifth-year senior from Chandler, Arizona, Hemmila was 22. Listed at 6-foot-3, 318 pounds, Hemmila appeared in 13 games last season and started six of them at left guard. He was a leading candidate for the starting center's job this year.

"We're just so deeply saddened," Byrne said. "Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends and the team, his teammates and the coaches and everybody involved. He's a Chandler kid, and means so much to our program."

Byrne said grief counselors would be available "to support the team and coaches and staff and everybody."

Former Arizona All-America linebacker Scooby Wright III, now a rookie with the Cleveland Browns, sent a tweet that read "Rest in peace big dawg."

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Vogelsong: 'I appreciate every person' in return to San Francisco
Bochy: Despite loss, Moore was 'an out away' from good start
Kruk: Moore going through 'learning curve' in National League
Glen & Ray: Detwiler falls victim to 'smart hitter' in loss to Rangers

Giants

Rewind: Vogelsong returns to plenty of love, beats Giants
Instant Replay: Giants fall to Pirates in Vogelsong's return
Lincecum makes first Triple-A start since being DFA'd
Giants notes: Posey out again; Gearrin still waiting
Read More

Athletics

A's infielder Jed Lowrie to undergo season-ending toe surgery
Instant Replay: Beltre's grand slam dooms Detwiler, A's
Hit by Detwiler, Choo fractures forearm, headed to DL
A's lineup: Vogt catching Detwiler in opener vs Rangers
Read More

Sharks

Sharks prospects to compete in mini round robin
Patrick Roy shocks, resigns as coach, VP of ops of Avalanche
Logan Couture bulking up, 'not going to survive out there'
Sharks introduce new secondary logos
Read More

49ers

Colin Kaepernick's arm condition result of usage
Chris Davis making strong bid for key role in 49ers' defense
49ers WR Smelter sidelined with 'week-to-week' condition
Source: 49ers QB Lewis suffers torn ACL
Read More

Raiders

Raiders practice 12: James, Toomer could provide trusted LB depth
Raiders expected to place TE Holmes on injured reserve
Raiders QB Cook wants 'gradual improvement' to continue after debut
Report: Raiders DL Edwards Jr to miss 4-6 weeks
Read More

Warriors

Steph Curry no longer shares best odds of winning 2017 MVP
Klay leads Team USA to victory over France in Rio
Morrow 'didn't feel betrayed' by Durant joining Warriors
Team USA leaves plenty of room to wonder in win over Serbia
Read More

NCAA

Oregon WR reaches semis in 110-meter hurdles at Rio
With new QB under center, Stanford leaning on McCaffrey
Cal grad transfer QB Webb 'elevating everybody's game'
Cal receives big commitment from Ali's grandson
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Vogelsong returns to plenty of love, beats Giants
(5)
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Vogelsong: 'I appreciate every person' in return to San Francisco
Vogelsong: 'I appreciate every person' in return to San Francisco
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Vogelsong returns to plenty of love, beats Giants
  • Instant Replay: Giants fall to Pirates in Vogelsong's return
  • Giants notes: Posey out again; Gearrin still waiting
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's infielder Jed Lowrie to undergo season-ending toe surgery
(1)
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Glen & Ray: Detwiler falls victim to 'smart hitter' in loss to Rangers
Glen & Ray: Detwiler falls victim to 'smart hitter' in loss to Rangers
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • A's infielder Jed Lowrie to undergo season-ending toe surgery
  • Instant Replay: Beltre's grand slam dooms Detwiler, A's
  • Rewind: Khris Davis' 30th homer is 'a feather in his cap'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks prospects to compete in mini round robin
(1)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Beyond the Scoreboard digital exclusive: 1-on-1 with SAP CDO Jonathan Becher
Beyond the Scoreboard digital exclusive: 1-on-1 with SAP CDO Jonathan Becher
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks prospects to compete in mini round robin
  • Logan Couture bulking up, 'not going to survive out there'
  • Sharks introduce new secondary logos
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Steph Curry no longer shares best odds of winning 2017 MVP
(4)
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

Breaking down the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors' schedule
Breaking down the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors' schedule
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Klay leads Team USA to victory over France in Rio
  • Team USA leaves plenty of room to wonder in win over Serbia
  • Warriors announce 2016-17 schedule: Two visits to OKC
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

The Kings Insider Podcast with James Ham: Omri Casspi
James Ham

Kings Video

Ham: Kings 'making lot of phone calls;' trade on the way?
Ham: Kings 'making lot of phone calls;' trade on the way?
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Colin Kaepernick's arm condition result of usage
(14)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Maiocco: Kap expected to return; Gabbert shaky; Davis rusty
Maiocco: Kap expected to return; Gabbert shaky; Davis rusty
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Colin Kaepernick's arm condition result of usage
  • Chris Davis making strong bid for key role in 49ers' defense
  • 49ers WR Smelter sidelined with 'week-to-week' condition
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders practice 12: James, Toomer could provide trusted LB depth
(2)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Raiders RB Atkinson III details what he's focused on to improve
Raiders RB Atkinson III details what he's focused on to improve
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Raiders practice 12: James, Toomer could provide trusted LB depth
  • Raiders expected to place TE Holmes on injured reserve
  • Raiders QB Cook wants 'gradual improvement' to continue after debut
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes beat Whitecaps for first road win of season
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Team USA wins Group G despite draw with Colombia
Lloyd's goal lifts US past France, to 2-0 start in Group G
(2)
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

A's infielder Jed Lowrie to undergo season-ending toe surgery
(1)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Vogelsong returns to plenty of love, beats Giants
(5)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Colin Kaepernick's arm condition result of usage
(14)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders practice 12: James, Toomer could provide trusted LB depth
(2)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Klay leads Team USA to victory over France in Rio
(7)
See more >

JAMES HAM

The Kings Insider Podcast with James Ham: Omri Casspi
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks prospects to compete in mini round robin
(1)
See more >

RAY RATTO

One long-term ramification from 49ers' loss to Texans

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Vogelsong: 'I appreciate every person' in return to San Francisco
Vogelsong: 'I appreciate every person' in return to San Francisco
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California