Former De La Salle quarterback dies in Army Ranger training

CONCORD, Calif. -- Family and friends of a young East Bay soldier are mourning his sudden and unexpected death. Lieutenant Mike Parros died during training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

"It's just heartbreaking hearing the news today," said De La Salle High School Football Coach Justin Alumbagh

Alumbagh didn't want to believe it, one of his former star players, 21-year-old Mike Parros was gone.

"He was dedicated to our school, he was dedicated to our team and obviously he was dedicated to our country. Not a good day for anybody involved," said Alumbaugh

2nd Lt. Mike Parros died suddenly during his first week of Army Ranger training at Ft. Benning Georgia. The Army said he was being treated for Hyponatremia, an abnormally low level of sodium in the blood, sometimes caused by drinking too much water.

"There's a shock and I kind of didn't want to believe it," said 2nd Lt. Brandon Roberts.

Roberts, stationed in Virginia, graduated from De La Salle where Mike Parros was backup quarterback, then went on to West Point, where Parros played football for Army.

Roberts says he was an amazing athlete, leader and friend.

"He had the physical ability and leadership characteristics to lead soldiers and it's kind of sad to see that it would happen to him," said Roberts.

Coach Albaugh says Parros never forgot his roots at De La Salle.

"He came back with frequency. He came back and he worked out with our kids and he worked out with a lot of our quarterbacks. He was a quarterback for us," said Albaugh.

The Army said Parros was the epitome of the kind of soldier you want to serve with.