CWRU community mourns loss of student-athlete Emil LaSida
As Emil LaSida stood behind the blocks at the 2025 NCAA National Championships, he locked in on the race ahead: a head-to-head swim-off in the 50 free, one of his specialties, to clinch a spot in finals. LaSida not only secured the win by five one-hundredths of a second—he also surpassed his own Case Western Reserve University Men’s Swimming & Diving record with a time of 19.98, becoming the first in school history to break 20 seconds in the sprint event.
“It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen one of my athletes do,” Head Coach Doug Milliken said of the race. “He was just beaming. You could have seen his smile from a mile away.”
It’s a core memory that, for many, epitomizes LaSida: driven, dedicated and always ready with a bright smile. And it’s one that his Spartan swim team family—and his loved ones from around the world—are remembering today as they mourn LaSida, who died Sept. 15 at the age of 21.
LaSida came to Case Western Reserve University in 2022 from Alexandria, Virginia, where he was a captain of his high school swimming and diving team and earned accolades such as The Washington Post All Met Honorable Mention for being a top swimmer in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area.
At Case Western Reserve, he studied computer engineering and formed deep friendships, especially with fellow swimmers.
William Froass, for example, met LaSida during orientation week. Their friendship grew through engineering classes and the swim team, including late nights spent as roommates on team road trips.
“Emil made every moment lighter, funnier and better just by being there,” Froass said. “His kindness and respect for everyone set an example I truly admired and continue to look up to.”
Adam Khatib, too, met LaSida upon move-in. Quickly, the two became close—staying up playing pool, talking in the Taft common rooms and “debating inane questions,” Khatib recalled of his quiet, witty and exceptionally helpful friend.
“Emil always had the solution for whatever problem you were facing. … Whenever there was any sort of ‘tool’ that you needed—a time pressure checker, printer, bowls/utensils, pen or paper, literally anything—he had it,” Khatib said. “He was just the type of person to always have what you need, and would be the quiet, reliable person you wanted in your corner, always willing to assist you.”
LaSida consistently built strong connections with others around him—whether he was mentoring other swimmers or taking photos on the pool deck.
“Emil was one of those athletes that every coach would want: He always worked hard, he had a great attitude and was a very respectful person,” Milliken said. “And then you couple that with the talent that he had—it was amazing.”
That talent was undeniable: LaSida held seven Case Western Reserve University records, three of which were individual events (50 free, 100 free and 100 back) and four of which were relays (both 200 and 400 medley and free relays).
Relays, Milliken said, were a favorite of LaSida’s. Whether he was leading off the medley relay with his backstroke or anchoring a free relay, the team could always count on LaSida’s swimming prowess—and endless encouragement of others.
“We always knew if we were close in a relay or if we knew we needed a win, especially in the 50 free, Emil was going to do everything he could to get that for us,” Milliken said. “He was lightning fast. It was just mesmerizing to watch.”
Milliken and swim team members noted LaSida led by example—always willing to chip in with on-deck tasks, put in the hard work at practice and encourage his teammates.
“As an athlete, he was the best of us. He gave everything he had every practice and meet and he was always positive, even if we weren’t swimming well one day,” roommates and teammates Ian Ridlehoover and Milo Balzer shared. “He was so dedicated to our sport and spent countless hours outside of normal practice times and during the offseason training to get a little better.”
As Khatib noted: “He deeply cared about others’ success, and wanted them to reach the same heights that he had.”
Those qualities led teammates to elect LaSida to the team’s Leadership Council for the past two years.
“Emil’s accomplishments speak for themselves, and they reflect his character, investment, and dedication to swimming and discipline,” said Caeden Couch, a fellow swimmer who became close with LaSida as suitemates sophomore year. “Every single person on the team looks up to Emil as a role model, big brother and, most of all, a friend.”
Though some of his closest friends were swimmers, LaSida’s friendships extended beyond the pool. He loved spending time with friends at movie nights, hiking trips and air shows, Ridlehoover and Balzer shared, and “was the best friend we could have asked for.” LaSida often hosted his former suitemates at his apartment for board games, Couch noted, including a gathering just a few nights ago.
Claire Kozma, a senior swimmer on the Women’s Swimming & Diving team, also recognized LaSida’s genuine hospitality and welcoming demeanor, including, she said, a “contagious” laugh—a sentiment multiple friends shared.
“[Emil] is the kind of person who offers his seat to someone else, hosts and bakes for his friends, lifts others up at swim meets, and makes sure every person in the room feels comfortable,” Kozma said. “He did everything with grace and out of love, always considering the needs of others.
In short, Couch reflected, LaSida was “downright wonderful.”
Emil LaSida is survived by his parents, Lolo and Maya; his brother, Lutfi; and family members from Seattle to Alexandria, Indonesia to Belgium, and beyond—all of whom are mourning this loss, his parents said. The family will host a private service; the university will update this article with the family’s obituary or other information as it becomes available.
Students who need support during this time can reach University Counseling Services at 216.368.5872 or by scheduling an appointment online through MyHealthConnect, or access 24/7 online support through TimelyCare; faculty and staff counseling services are available through AllOne Health, the university’s Employee Assistance Provider, at 800.227.6007.
