John Bloomfield, the spirited and beloved Sacramento State football player known for his engaging grin, passionate pregame speeches and relentless pursuit of ballcarriers died Sunday after nearly a month in a coma.

The 22-year old senior defensive end from Grant High School and Sierra College entered Mercy Hospital in Sacramento on Sept. 19 to be treated for a deteriorating lung that collapsed after Sac State's season opener Aug. 30 at New Mexico State. The high altitude in Las Cruces, N.M., affected his breathing. Family, teammates and friends were not aware of his sensitive respiratory condition, certainly not by the way Bloomfield played.

At Mercy, one surgery led to another and then a third, and Bloomfield lapsed into a coma. Stella Bloomfield said the decision to take her son off life support was the most painful of her life, adding, "God's waiting for him now. We know it's time to let him go."

Said Sac State director of athletics Terry Wanless in a statement: "We have lost a member of our family. John was a young man who brightened the lives of all those he touched. He was a great example of someone who took on the challenges of life and found a way to make it better."

– Joe Davidson

Lopez inducted into California Hall

Former world junior-lightweight and lightweight champion Tony Lopez was among honorees inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday in Studio City. Other Sacramento area-based fighters previously inducted were ex-champions Loreto Garza and Bobby Chacon, and contender Richard Savala.

– Jim Jenkins, Special to The Bee

General

• Melissa Fernandez scored in the 24th minute as host Cal State Northridge (8-4-5, 5-1-1) Big West Conference) beat UC Davis (7-8-2, 2-4-1) 1-0 in women's soccer, UCD reported.

• The UCD women finished 10th in the Stanford Intercollegiate golf tournament, the school reported. Demi Runas, who closed with a 2-under-par 69, finished 21st to lead the Aggies. Amy Simanton tied for 29th, and Andrea Wong tied for 44th.

• UCD (12-13) lost to Brown 10-6 and Bucknell 14-6 in the Rodeo men's water polo tournament in Santa Clara, UCD reported. Matt Vowell scored a total of four goals in the two losses for the Aggies, while Anders MacCarthy, Chris Richardson and Trevor Allen each scored two.

– Bee Sports staff

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