Search called off for UNR football player missing in waters of Lake Tahoe

Search teams have suspended the search for a paddle boarder who went missing Friday night off of Obexer’s Marina on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.

The Placer County Sheriff's Office reported Saturday, June 11 that two days of searching have not recovered Marc Ma, a 20-year-old football player for the University of Nevada Reno (UNR).

Ma was with several UNR football players on a paddle board trip to Lake Tahoe. The group found themselves in trouble about 1.7 miles offshore, as high winds caused 3- to 5-foot swells. Everyone else in the group had been washed off their boards. Marc headed back to shore to get help.

According to the Placer County Sheriff, staff from Obexer's Marina saw the group was in danger and headed out to rescue them. While heading toward the group they saw Marc by his paddle board to the north of the marina, toward the Homewood buoy field. After rescuing the group they returned to where they had seen Marc. They found his board adrift and Marc was missing.

An extensive search was conducted by the United States Coast Guard, the Placer, Washoe and El Dorado County Sheriff's Offices, along with North Tahoe, Washoe and Meeks Bay Fire Departments. The search efforts include shoreline and lake searching using water vessels and air support.

Mark was only wearing swim trunks and was not wearing a personal floatation device.

On Saturday, the plan was to use allied agencies and specialized side-scan sonar equipment for operations at the point last seen, which is approximately 150- to 300-feet deep.

The UNR Wolfpack defensive end was a graduate of Iolani High School in Hawaii.

Nevada Head Football Coach Brian Polian released the following statement:

“The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is calling this search one of recovery, not rescue. As such, it is with an incredibly heavy heart that we acknowledge the loss of Marc Ma, a beloved member of our Wolf Pack family."

“Laura and I spent time at the lake today with Marc’s parents, Michele and Michael, and our thoughts and prayers are with Marc's entire family and friends in Hawaii and with those close to him here in Reno. We share in their devastation and will support them in any way we can. We are thankful for the courageous efforts of search personnel."

“Marc was a very special young man and it was an honor to work with him. He was universally liked and respected by his teammates, coaches and staff. Marc excelled in the classroom and had grown by leaps and bounds in the weight room and on the football field. His easy smile and cheerful demeanor belied a fierce competitive nature that would emerge in practice and excite our team."

“Our team has lost a friend and a brother and we are hurting right now. I have no doubt that we will rally together to love and support one another in manner that will honor Marc's memory.”

Nevada Athletics Director, Doug Knuth also released a statement:

“The University comes together in times of need to support the family and each other through this difficult and tragic situation. Counseling and grief management services are available as needed for all students, coaches and staff.“