They knew even then that they wanted to mentor young football players as teachers and coaches. We can’t wait to have him back.”Įlk Grove head football coach John Heffernan has known Pale since they first met as football teammates at the College of San Mateo in 1992, two Bay Area residents drawn to each other as men who used football as a vehicle for education. 1 person on campus - everyone loves him,” said Amanda Buck, Elk Grove’s varsity softball coach and senior class advisor. Family has kept a virtual 24-hour watch over Pale. Along with their mother, Mele, this is a tight-knit group. Misi, also a superb student-athlete on campus, is a junior at Elk Grove. He will walk across the stage in a cap and gown with his father there only in spirit. Simi, a three-time Bee All-Metro football lineman who will head to Stanford this fall on a football scholarship, is a senior at Elk Grove. Springtime is a busy time for any activities director, including the Senior Ball and graduation ceremonies, which will take place Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. Those who know Pale say he is in their hearts and minds in what would normally be a fast-forward period of time for a man of many hats. Pale has been able to communicate by squeezing the hands of family, including wife Mele, son Simi and daughter Misi.
Doctors during surgery discovered Pale had a lower aorta tear, leading to a loss of blood to his left kidney.
Nearly $40,000 had been raised entering the weekend with a goal of $50,000 to help the family offset medical bills not covered by insurance and loss of income.Ī mountain of a man at 6-foot-5, Pale suffered from pain shooting in his leg on April 9, which was diagnosed as a blood clot. He has undergone 12 surgeries in an effort to “control the bleeding in the stomach and intestines,” according to a GoFundMe account for Pale. The absence of James Pale has left a considerable void at Elk Grove High School and throughout the regional prep sports scene.Ī beloved football coach, activities director and teacher at Elk Grove for seven years, and 18 before that at Burbank High School, Pale has been hospitalized since April 9 to treat a blood clot that resulted in a loss of kidney function. The big man on campus has not been on campus in more than 40 days.
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