NAU football player who attended Las Vegas high school found dead
A former football player at Arbor View High School in Las Vegas who went on to play for Northern Arizona University died Sunday in his Flagstaff home, the university’s athletics department announced Monday.
At the time of his death, Malik Noshi was a senior and starting offensive lineman for the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks who was recognized last year as a Big Sky Honorable Mention, according to his bio page on the university’s website.
Foul play was not suspected in Noshi’s death, according to Flagstaff Police Department spokesman Sgt. Charles Hernandez. The Police Department and Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office are conducting a joint investigation to determine his cause and manner of death, which remained pending Monday.
Flagstaff police received a 911 call about noon on Sunday requesting medical attention for Noshi, who was not breathing, said Hernandez. Medics responded to Noshi’s home and performed “life-saving measures,” but Noshi was pronounced dead at 12:10 p.m.
Wearing jersey No. 65 since 2015, Noshi played in 29 games throughout his college football career, starting in at least 23 of those games.
“The thoughts and prayers of the entire NAU Athletic Department family go out to Malik’s family, friends, teammates and coaches during this time of great sadness,” said Mike Marlow, the university’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics, in a statement released Monday. “Coaches and support staff have been reaching out to our football family to ensure our student-athletes have the support they need.”
A Las Vegas native, Noshi sported No. 55 and earned all-state, all-city and all-conference honors while playing on the offensive line for the Arbor View Aggies. His team went 28-5 during his last three seasons, and he was a member of the first Arbor View football team to go undefeated.
My heart is hurting. We lost a wonderful person in Malick Noshi today. One of the best lineman ever at Arbor View.
Everyone is of worth. Everyone hurts. Please talk to someone. @aggiefootball05 @NAU_Football— Coach Toomer (@marinerz11) July 8, 2019
Noshi’s parents are Hani Noshi and Amy Grooms, according to his bio page. He is survived by a younger sister, Arlin, and a younger brother, Grady.
Contact Rio Lacanlale at rlacanlale@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @riolacanlale on Twitter.
