Bob Ladouceur to speak at EBAL football fundraiser for Jake Javier this Saturday
DANVILLE – De La Salle football coach Bob Ladouceur will speak at a fundraiser this Saturday at San Ramon Valley High School to raise money for Jake Javier, a Cal-Poly – bound student who was paralyzed in a pool accident last summer in Danville.
After nearly a year of recovery from his accident, Javier is preparing to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this fall. He will need a full-time aid at school to help him with basic daily tasks that include getting dressed, showering and navigating around campus.
“Since Jake’s injury, I couldn’t get him out of my mind… I felt we could make a big difference in Jake’s future, ” Ladouceur said. “I always feared that one of my players might suffer a serious injury, much like Jake did. As football coaches, we always try our best to keep our students out of harm’s way, however, it never takes away the worry and concern.”
Ladouceur says the goal of Saturday’s fundraiser is to help the Javier family pay for the full-time aid that will be by Javier’s side throughout the year. “We’re hoping to raise enough money to pay for the aid’s first year, at least,” Ladouceur said.
Saturday’s event begins at 5 pm on the San Ramon Valley High School football field. Attendees will get a preview of this year’s EBAL football teams from San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista, California, De La Salle and Freedom high schools.
The teams will face off in a 7 on 7 tournament followed by a lineman challenge on the field. Jake Javier is also scheduled to speak at the event, followed by a speech from Coach Ladouceur, who remains an assistant coach at De La Salle after stepping down after his 33rd year as head coach in 2012.
There will be plenty of good food at the event: tri-tip sandwiches, hot dogs, polish dogs, potato salad, and admission is free! There will be a donation table at the event, or you can donate on the fundraising website – whether you’re attending or not.
Ladouceur says organizers may add more fun events like a lineman tug-of-war, physical ability contest and a cornhole game for attendees.
