Community Offers Support to Sarp Akmeshe Family After UT Lacrosse Freshman’s Fatal Crash
Feb. 24, 2026 — Houston Sarp Akmeshe, a 19-year-old freshman on the University of Texas men’s lacrosse club team and petroleum engineering student at the Cockrell School of Engineering, died in a car crash Tuesday night.
Akmeshe, a 2025 graduate of Westside High School in Houston, had not yet played in a game for the Longhorns due to injuries but was nearing his debut, according to reports from the Houston Chronicle and Yahoo Sports.
Team Mourns Loss
The Texas Men’s Lacrosse team issued a statement on social media mourning their teammate.
Our Texas Lacrosse family is grieving the loss of our teammate and brother, Sarp Akmeshe. A freshman who had just begun his journey with us, Sarp made an impact that will stay with this program forever. Please keep Sarp and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time. Forever a Longhorn. 🤘🧡
A longer version shared via FOX 26 Houston called for prayers for the Sarp Akmeshe family, friends, and community.
Coach DeDonatis’ Reaction
Club coach Luciano DeDonatis gathered the team upon hearing the news. “We got in a big circle and shared some of our favorite memories of Sarp. We took turns to pray for him, and be there for one another and kind of tried to commemorate him in that moment as best we could,” DeDonatis told the Houston Chronicle.
He added of Akmeshe’s quick integration: “He showed up and made himself one of the guys. That’s what’s even more impressive.”
Before a game against BYU, DeDonatis told players: “There was a time Sarp picked up the stick for the last time, and he didn’t know it would be the last time.”
The team plans to honor Akmeshe in their remaining six games of 2026.
Support for Sarp Akmeshe Family
The West Houston Lacrosse Association (WHLA) expressed condolences to the Sarp Akmeshe family: “The West Houston lacrosse community holds the family of our forever #10, Sarp Akmeshe, close as they navigate this devastating loss” (Houston Chronicle).
Community members, friends, and former teammates shared memories, offering support to the Sarp Akmeshe family during this time.
Memorial Plans
WHLA announced a service on March 7 followed by a vigil on March 8 to honor Akmeshe, with details forthcoming (Yahoo Sports).
News of the tragedy spread on X, with outlets like FOX 26 Houston and others calling for prayers for the Sarp Akmeshe family and lacrosse community.
