Parents and coaches at the school are eager to start fundraising for the family, but they are still figuring out what to do and how to do it, athletic director Mike McEwan said. Students already have raised $1,500 by selling blue bracelets with Mason-Hale's name on them.
The family has set up a fund to accept donations. Of course, getting the word out is a priority, and Mason-Hale plans to make his first public appearance at the Wolverines' homecoming game tomorrow at 7 p.m. at CCBC-Catonsville.
"I really want to get out there," he said. "It would be great because it's my birthday."
His teammates are eager to see him on the sideline.
"To have him there, to be with the fans, to be with the team, the last game of the season, senior night. It's a really big thing for him to be there with us," teammate Zack Adcock said.
Wolverines coach Alan Lagon said Mason-Hale's injury has affected the team way beyond just losing perhaps its best player.
"You could tell, especially after the severity of it began to sink in, the kids were reluctant to do some things," Lagon said. "Basically, we told them anything they feel is perfectly natural. We work through our guidance counselors and psychologists and some people had an initial hesitation ... but nobody's had a big, big issue."
Senior Josh Noren stuck with the team despite his doubts.
"I was sort of thinking if I should keep playing or not because [a serious injury] was a real possibility," Noren said. "They teach us how to tackle and keep your head up, but it was a freak accident. Chris did everything right."
Mason-Hale said he would like nothing more than to play football again. Although that probably won't happen, he does believe he can go to college and become a veterinarian as he had planned.
Those who know him are sure he will succeed.
"Adversity defines your character," Lagon said. "Chris has been faced with some serious life-threatening issues, and he responded in a very positive and upbeat fashion, and that's going to define who he is. This is a big traumatic experience ... but he's working his way out. He's meeting that challenge."
The Mason-Hales have set up a fund to handle donations: Christopher Mason-Hale Trust, c/o Mrs. Sonya Mason-Fiorindo, Capital One Bank, 301 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030.
