Lincoln mourns coach’s passing
- Updated: September 24, 2020
Softball assistant Leo Davidovich passes away after a month-long battle with COVID-19, daughter Kylie is Lady Bears’ catcher
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
LINCOLN — The Lincoln High School athletics family and area softball community is mourning the loss of softball coach Leo Davidovich, who passed away last night after a month-long battle with COVID complications.
Davidovich, who held degrees from Lycoming College and JSU, was a volunteer coach of the Lincoln junior high team for the last three years, ran and coached the Thunderstruck travel teams, and was a special education teacher in St. Clair County.
His daughter, Kylie, is a junior catcher on the Lincoln varsity.
“Leo came to us three years ago to ask if he could help coach the junior high,” Lady Golden Bears assistant coach Chad Mullinax said. “He just wanted to help teach the younger ones fundamentals and it was a blessing.
“It’s heartbreaking. We are doing our best to love and support her (Kylie) and her mom. These kids are great being there for her.”
Davidovich had been hospitalized since Aug. 24 with COVID pneumonia and a bacterial infection, his wife Cindy wrote on her Facebook post announcing his passing.
“He fought a long hard battle that his body could not handle,” she wrote. “He is at peace now. Kylie and I are handling it the best way we can. For those who have reached out to us during this time we will be forever grateful.”
Varsity assistant coach Ricky Young remembered his close friend as a man who “had the biggest heart of anyone I know.”
Davidovich’s Thunderstruck team won numerous championships since its founding six years ago. It won the Southern Nationals tournament in Gulf Shores this past July and the Alabama points championship three years running.
“He was a big guy with a big love for the game and Lincoln softball,” Young said. “He made an impact on everything he touched. He loved his family to no end. I am a better person for being around him and calling him my friend.”
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