Remembering Cliff Tucker five years on

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Sunday marks the fifth anniversary of the death of El Paso sports legend Cliff Tucker.

He and three others were killed in a single vehicle crash on May 28th, 2018. Tucker was just 29-years-old at the time and while he's no longer with us, his legacy has had a lasting impact on the El Paso sports community. 

"He's the true definition of a star," Head Coach of Chapin Boys Basketball Rodney Lewis said. "When you look up in the sky at night, stars guide us." 

Lewis was the freshman coach during Tucker's time with the Huskies and to say he remembers Tucker fondly is an understatement. 

"He was the greatest basketball player to ever play high school basketball here," Lewis said.

In his senior season for the Huskies the dual athlete reeled in 19 touchdown passes and then later that year averaged more than 21 points and 10 rebounds - the numbers garnered him boys basketball Co-MVP for the El Paso Times and a two-time all region and all state selection. 

Tucker chose to keep it on the court in college - playing in 131 games for Maryland. The Chapin grad became known for his three pointers and helped lead the team to two NCAA tournament appearances. 

While his stats are something to marvel at, it's not what he's remembered for. 

"His personality, the way he loved his teammates the way he loved his community here in the Northeast the way he loved Chapin High School and the way he represented the 915," Lewis said. "He put all of us on his back."

You don't have to look very far to be reminded of that shining star, Chapin have 'CT' on their jerseys, his number 21 is retired in the gym where a banner with his name hangs and his initials are on the court. There's a memorial garden by the football field, scholarships in his name and now his son, Dallas is a freshman at Chapin.

On the fifth anniversary of cliff tucker's passing, Coach Lewis with one parting plea. 

"Please don't ever forget cliff tucker."