Man killed in Syracuse shooting was beloved youth football coach
MATTYDALE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Father’s Day wasn’t the joyful Sunday Justin Kozlowski was planning on. The flurry of calls to his phone were to alert him a father-like figure to many of his players was the victim of a shooting.
Kozlowski, the president of the Syracuse City Renegades, a travel football league for kids, had to inform his players, ranging from ages 6 to 13, that Coach Jay Mack had died.
On Monday, June 17, Syracuse police named 30-year-old Jamar Mack as the man who died early Sunday morning, June 16, in a shooting outside Valley Plaza.
“It’s going to be real different not hearing his voice around here,” said Charmaine Smith, another coach who spoke about his friend from their home football field.
“I feel for the kids,” said Kozlowski. “He was a head coach of 13-year-olds’ team that’s suffering, that’s hurting.”
The coaches credit Mack with having a way with words, a unique ability to connect with kids to inspire them on and off the field.
“I’ll be sitting back just listening,” said Smith. “…just amazing how it just comes out… the delivery, at the right time too.”
“It’s not easy,” said Kozlowski. “A lot of coaches can’t do that. He coached them hard, don’t get me wrong, but he loved them just as hard.”
His love was special for kids like him from the inner city. He often drove players to practice, or to far-off games, when they needed a ride.
“He was like a brother to me,” said Kozlowski. “I didn’t know them before I started the Renegades, and I’ve gained a lot of brothers. Unfortunately, we lost one.”
The league will add decals to its helmets and look for other ways to honor Coach Mack when the season starts next month.
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