Posted at: 07/02/2009 10:28 PM
Updated at: 07/03/2009 1:46 AM
By: Nicole Brady, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

   Print Story

Parents of boy who drowned in river: 'Thank you'

Greg Hayes

This weekend, a flag football tournament will be held in memory of their son, and it’s just the latest way Rio Rancho has honored Corbin Hayes.

Greg Hayes said Thursday, “Every day's a struggle, and we love our Corbin. We're just going day by day now.”

The Hayes family has been through the worst thing that can happen to a family, but they wanted to say thank you.

Greg Hayes said, “I'll say it 100 times, we love you Rio Rancho, we love everything you've done with us, and we appreciate it.”

Corbin Hayes was swept away while swimming in the river in Rio Rancho on May 28.

Almost immediately, dozens of volunteers joined police and firefighters to search for the boy.

After his body was found five days later, the community continued to rally in support of the family.

This weekend, the city will host the Corbin Hayes Memorial Flag Football Tournament at Rio Rancho High School.

Hayes was an athlete, and his mother says he would have been honored.

“He was a great athlete, three sport athlete, football,” Kim Hayes said. “He was amazing, amazing young athlete and person, and our comic relief, just a wonderful, wonderful boy.”

Greg Hayes told reporters, “It will always be hard, especially May 28th , but an event like this will keep Corbin remembered, and the community as a whole will never forget Corbin.“

The city is hoping to make the Fourth of July flag football tournament an annual tradition in Hayes’ memory.

The money raised will be donated to Rio Rancho Schools’ athletic teams, The Fisher Foundation-- which supports veterans-- and the Rio Rancho Community Foundation.