Former Track & Field Student Athlete Yusef Tahiru Passes Away

The Riverside City College athletic department's hearts weigh hevy as we announce the passing of former men's track and field star, Yusef Tahiru, at the age of 29. He was a loving son, brother, cousin, teammate and friend. Yusef was born on May 9, 1991 in Bellflower, CA to Abdur and Evelyn Tahiru. He was the younger brother of Zachari Tahiru.

 

As a child, Yusef could often be found riding his bike around the neighborhood or playing basketball or soccer with his brother and friends. He enjoyed taking things a part to see if he could put them back together again, sometimes with mixed results. Curiosity was a driving force for him as a child, he was a voracious reader and loved to watch movies and television about science and animals. He was raised in the Church attending Gospel Memorial COGIC in his early years and Greater Victory COGIC into his adult years.

 

Yusef was a 2009 graduate of Santiago High School in Corona, California where he ran Track all four years and cemented his love of athletics including Soccer which he started playing at the age of four. Following high school, Yusef continued his Track and Field career at Riverside Community College where he ran the 800 Meters and was a part of the 2010 State Championship team. In 2011, Yusef transferred to Cal State San Marcos and continued his Track Career in the 800 Meters until he graduated from Cal State San Marcos with a BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in 2015. After practicing as a Physical Therapist, Yusef set out to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to be an English Teacher and see the world. During his time in Vietnam, Yusef excelled in every aspect of his life. Claiming first prize in 5K runs, Soccer tournaments and most recently being named Teacher of the Year.

 

Yusef had a passion for sports especially Soccer and Track and Field; he remarked about how this passion connected him to Kinesiology on his Senior project:

"Kinesiology is my passion and it has been since I began playing soccer at the tender young age of 4 years old. Sports have been a major part of my life ever since the second I touched the soccer ball and my interest in sports only expanded as I grew older to include football and most recently in my life track and field". Outside of sports and Kinesiology, Yusef had a passion for science, travel, space, music, anime, and going fast; whether in his Mazda 3 growing up or on his motorbike through the streets of Vietnam.

 

Yusef built a community everywhere he went and was always known for his encouraging attitude, signature smile and harmonious laugh. He always had an empathetic ear ready to listen and wise words to help those that needed guidance. He was a teacher, a mentor, a teammate, a confidant, an encourager, a joker, a brother, and a friend. His joy, his light, his thirst for adventure and the fulfillment he found in helping others will never be forgotten.

 

A scholarship fund has been set up in his name and the family asks that donations be given to the seeding of this scholarship fund in lieu of donations to the family. 

 

Yusef Tahiru Scholarship Fund: https://gf.me/u/yfw95h