Support the family of Demetrius Poles

A husband, father, son, brother, coach and beloved friend to many – it is with heartbreak and heavy sorrow that we share the passing of Demetrius "Mete" Poles on May 20th, 2023. To know Demetrius was to love him. He embodied all the good in people, did life the right way, and had an innate ability to make his visions come to life. Every time life threw Mete a curveball, he made sure it went out of the park. Demetrius’s basketball journey took him around the world and back to his roots in 2013 when he joined Rowan as the men’s assistant and then women’s assistant coach in 2016-2017. Taking over in 2019-2020, Coach Poles led Rowan to its’ first NJAC Championship in 20 years and second championship in 2022-2023. Despite the countless health battles Mete was fighting in the last three years, not once did he waver nor show signs of struggles. An incredible, selfless ambassador for the the game, he will forever and always be our Coach of the Year.

These next few days, weeks, months and beyond will be a grieving journey for his family. All donations from this GoFundMe will go directly towards supporting Sandra and family with service and medical expenses, Jayden and Jelani's schooling and college funds, and making sure they have the support and resources for bills and mortgage as a two household income becomes one.

To his friends and family in the states and across the world, we share your pain and hope you continue to honor Mete's legacy every single day and as he always said, "keep shooting!"

Demetrius was the rock for his family and now it is all our turn to provide the same for Sandra, Linda, Jelani, Jayden, and the rest of the Poles' family.

Those who touch our lives, continue to stay in our hearts forever.

#SISU

Sandra Poles is the beneficiary.