Walnut, Calif. – Before tipping off their first game of the season, the Mt. San Antonio College women's basketball team paid tribute to former assistant coach Zack Hope, who passed away over the summer, honoring his lasting impact on the program and the athletes he mentored.
Dr. Zack Jamar Hope, affectionately known by those closest to him as "Baby Zack," passed away on July 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy that spanned athletics, education, community service, and above all, heartfelt relationships. His untimely passing at the age of 39 sent ripples through the Southern California athletics community—especially at Mt. San Antonio College, where he was a devoted Assistant Coach for the Women's Basketball program.
Born on October 2, 1985, in Long Beach, California, Zack's life was defined by passion—whether it was on the field, in the classroom, or within the community. From an early age, he stood out as a leader among his peers. He excelled in football, baseball, and basketball and was a standout student-athlete at Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School. His talents caught the attention of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who drafted him in 2003, but Zack chose a different path—one that prioritized education and long-term impact.
Zack went on to earn multiple academic degrees from respected institutions across the country, including a Doctorate in Education from the University of La Verne. His commitment to academic excellence mirrored the energy and preparation he brought to coaching and mentorship.
At the time of his passing, Zack was actively involved in various roles: Budget Technician at Golden West College, Educational Consultant, administrator for elite youth basketball programs, and Assistant Coach at Mt. SAC—where he helped lead the Women's Basketball team to a 2025 3C2A State Championship.
For Mt. SAC Head Coach Brian Crichlow, Zack's contributions went far beyond the scoreboard.
"He was a carer of people," Crichlow shared. "He made sure that the women's basketball program had everything—externally and most of the time internally—to be successful. He would go out of his way for student-athletes, for us coaches, and for staff. Always prepared, always resourceful."
Crichlow and Hope shared a bond that transcended the court. The two met more than two decades ago, pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity together, and became family in every sense of the word.
"That was my best friend and my little brother," Crichlow said. "We pledged together, and he was by my side for the past 21 years. We did everything together—travel ball, Mt. SAC, life… Final Fours, vacations, you name it. He meant a lot to me personally. He meant a lot to a lot of people and the community."
Zack's presence within the Mt. SAC program spanned over a decade, playing a role in multiple state championship seasons, most recently in March 2025. Even when work took him elsewhere, he volunteered, attended games, and remained a pillar of support for the program and its athletes.
"He understood the assignments. He understood the adjustments. Whether it was coming into practice and making the kids smile or pushing them to their limits, he knew how to get the best out of them—and he was there for them off the court, too," Crichlow explained. "The kids knew they could come talk to him, and he'd find a way to help them."
Zack's impact wasn't limited to athletics. His care extended deeply into the lives of friends and family. Crichlow recounted a story that exemplified Zack's role in their lives:
"My kids would call Uncle Zack before they'd call me or my wife. When my middle daughter wrecked the car, she called my oldest in a panic—who told her to call Uncle Zack because he'd know what to do. That's just who he was."
A natural connector, Zack could walk into any room and instantly become a source of light and laughter.
"He was able to walk amongst kings and not lose his common touch. He could be with a billionaire or a homeless person—and he was still just Zack," said Crichlow. "You'd know when Zack was in the building. There'd be a football game on in the background, gummy bears, and a room full of laughter."
But above all, Zack's most cherished role was that of a father. His two-year-old son, Hunter Hope, was his world.
"Hunter was his life," Crichlow said. "Zack was big on family. Family always came first."
Zack also had ambitious career goals. With previous administrative experience as Associate Athletic Director at both CSU Northridge and UC Riverside, many believed it was only a matter of time before he stepped into an Athletic Director role full-time.
He lived fully—traveling to over 35 states and internationally, collecting degrees, building relationships, and impacting lives at every turn. He was, as Crichlow described simply and powerfully:
"One of one. A brilliant person."
Dr. Zack Hope is survived by his son, Hunter; parents, Zackious and Linda Hope; siblings Kevin, Eric, and Tammara; niece Anaya; godfather Waymon Hope Jr.; godparents David and Myra McElroy; and a loving extended family and community of friends, fraternity brothers, and student-athletes whose lives he shaped.
The Mt. SAC Women's Basketball program, and indeed everyone who had the privilege of knowing Zack, will continue to carry his legacy forward—through hard work, kindness, preparation, and the pursuit of excellence.
"We will miss his smile, his energy, his passion," Crichlow said. "But his spirit lives on in every player he touched, in every game we play, and in every life he made better."