Dawn Staab - Co Head Coach Ayala in the team first newsletter
Most of you are now aware what transpired last Wednesday upon our return
from Mammoth. For those of you looking around confused, I’ll explain. Coach Pye
became disoriented on the run last Wednesday morning and started to feel sick. He
sat down on the corner, had the runners continue on and he eventually walked back to
the school. Upon arriving back from the run, I was alerted by our assistant coach
Kevin Rogers, that Coach Pye was in a bad way. I spoke with Pye briefly, and he
complained of numbness on his left hand side. He became disoriented again and we
called 911. They arrived immediately just as Pye became unresponsive. His left pupil
was “blown”, according to the paramedics and they had to help him breathe.
Unfortunately, all this occurred as the kids were assembled around the track for sprint
drills. The older members of the team and the alumni running with us that day were
immensely helpful in gathering everyone and explaining the situation.
Coach Pye was transferred to Chino Community Hospital where he stayed until
Friday. While his speech was not impaired and his spirits are good, he has not
regained the use of his left side. The doctors believe he suffered a T.I.A.
What is Transient Ischemic Attack?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient stroke that lasts only a few
minutes. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. TIA
symptoms, which usually occur suddenly, are similar to those of stroke but do not last
as long. Most symptoms of a TIA disappear within an hour, although they may persist.
Symptoms can include: numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially
on one side of the body; confusion or difficulty in talking or understanding speech;
trouble seeing in one or both eyes; and difficulty with walking, dizziness, or loss of
balance and coordination.
Friday afternoon he was transferred to Casa Colina Rehab Facility, where he
will begin intense physical therapy to “teach” his left side how to move again. At this
stage, his estimated time at Casa Colina will be anywhere from 2-5 weeks. Just as we
teach our athletes, he has told the physical therapist to take no mercy – whatever it
takes to get back his mobility, he will do. I think they were happy to hear that.
He has had many visitors to keep his spirits up. In the days that follow, as we
begin the school year, it will be more important than ever to live up to the expectations
that he has for this team. All of you, parents and athletes, have been overwhelmingly
generous in the help you have offered to Coach Rogers and myself. We really do
appreciate it and we will continue to keep you all informed.
Your captains, Alyssa Doniak, Robert Gomez, Lisa Porter and Lance Powell will
be a good source of information should there be any questions. They have been
invaluable to us in this transition and we will continue to entrust them with many of the
day to day activities.
Keep those cards and letters coming. Most importantly, say a prayer and
continue to behave in a way that would make Coach Pye proud.
We never know what challenges life may bring:
Cards or letters can be sent to
Steve Pye
c/o Dawn Staab
6044 Park Crest Drive
Chino Hills, CA 91709
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