Woodbridge High School Football Coach Remembered For 'Beautiful Smile And Kind Soul'

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A Woodbridge High School football coach and math teacher died after collapsing on the field during the third quarter of Friday night's football game. Now, the school's community is rallying around the memory of Fred Moore.

Since Moore's death was officially announced after the high school's football game on Friday night, the community began to honor his memory. A memorial webpage was established to allow students and community members to share their experiences with Moore, and a GoFundMe was set up to support his widow.

The GoFundMe, which was started by Alette Ricks-Longerbeam who is the wife of the school's head football coach, has already raised more than $22,000 as of Monday morning. The fundraiser originally had a $15,000 goal.

"Your husband was one of the few teachers who could really 'reach' my son," one donor wrote on the GoFundMe page. "He had such a wonderful way about him, we requested him to teach our son for a second year, Mr. Moore always talked to my son like an equal and my son really felt the connection. He will be missed."

Members of the school system's Critical Incident Team will be available to help students cope with the loss. School counselors will visit with Moore's classes this week to offer support, Woodbridge High School Principal Heather Abney said.

"Words cannot express the grief the Woodbridge community will feel from this loss," Abney wrote in a message that was posted to the school's Facebook page. "His wife would like everyone to know that Coach Moore passed away doing what he loves."

On Saturday, the school set up a webpage for students, teachers, and community members to share memories of Moore. By Monday morning, the page was full of comments describing a warm smile, friendly banter, and a kind personality.

Very few of the comments have names attached to them, but they all share similar messages. Some are from colleagues who admired the rapport that Moore established with his students and players. Other comments are from students who didn't know Moore personally, but heard nothing but kind words from those who were closer to him.

Unsurprisingly, the most poignant memories are from the community members who were closest to him: students in his classes and players on his team.

"Coach was a hotwire, sparks livelier than the game itself. Now, that spark has been released from its cave and lights up the entire community," Jadon Stephens, a current Woodbridge football player, wrote. "In love and memories, we all will 'do just a little Moore.'"

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