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GERRY LANE + JILL BENNETT are the directors of the Parochial Athletic League. The PAL is under the direction of the Diocese of Sacramento and is a sports league that offers eight different sports throughout the school year to up to 30 Diocesan schools in the greater Sacramento area and beyond. This labor of love has been a part of Lane's life for 35 years and Bennett's for 24 years. They are truly a dynamic duo because this job is not an easy one.

In today's episode of Experience the Buzz, Host Steve Buzzard gets a full and unique look at the PAL from the inside."I have been a part of the PAL both as a player (while at St. John Vianney), a coach, and athletic director (while at St. Michael's)" "I have always been a HUGE fan of the PAL and the job that Gerry + Jill to do to run the program and have been looking forward to this conversation." Today's discussion hits THREE areas: 

•  Segment ONE 💥 starts with the question, "What is the Parochial Athletic League?" Jill and Gerry share their backgrounds and give us a look at the PAL then and now. We finish out with a story where Gerry and I were coaching against each other in the 2010 PAL Basketball Championship (St. Ignatius vs. St. Michael's). 
• Segment TWO 💥 highlights the course of the PAL during Covid. We discuss hard decisions that had to be made and takeaways from the pandemic. Gerry and Jill discuss the PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION program that was introduced to the PAL a few years ago. We get an inside look of what a daily schedule looks like for the two directors. 
• Segment THREE 💥 begins with a discussion on the implementation of the ALL-PLAY RULE in the PAL. We discuss the importance of officiating as well as the challenges behind putting together schedules. We finish with what is ahead for the PAL as schools return full time this fall and of course ... end everything with Rapid Fire.💥

Here are my favorite HIGHLIGHTS  ...
▪️1. Our discussion about the importance of officials in youth sports.
▪️2. "Everybody's ready. Everybody is excited," - Jill Bennett when describing the thoughts going into upcoming school year.
▪️3. By conversation's end, it was confirmed why I feel so strongly about why the PAL is a great community league for those families and kids who get to participate in it.

Our Connection |  I have known Gerry + Jill since being a coach while at St. Michael's. Our relationship strengthened when I became Athletic Director and served on the PAL Commission during my six years as A.D.

ENJOY THE TALKING STORY! 🏝

☑️ Boys PAL Website - run by Gerry Lane | Click Here
☑️ Girls PAL Website - run by Jill Bennett | Click Here

Sports Offered by the PAL

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