Calaveras High School, which is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in California, is mourning the loss of Kraig Clifton, one of its most beloved teachers and administrators. Kraig, 46, a head basketball coach and devoted educator, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Monday, September 23, 2024, after a valiant nine years. Many who had been impacted by his warmth, leadership, and unrelenting positivity, including students, coworkers, players, and community members, expressed their grief and memories upon his passing. “The Calaveras Basketball community mourns the loss of beloved coach and teacher Kraig Clifton after a 9-year battle with pancreatic cancer,” read a moving social media post announcing his passing.
Beyond his roles as a coach and teacher, Kraig Clifton was a shining example of love and compassion in the Calaveras community, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he came into contact with. Kraig was an obvious presence in the classroom and on the basketball court because of his contagious smile, boundless energy, and sincere concern for other people. His love for coaching and teaching went beyond academics and basketball skills; he aimed to impart life lessons that would benefit his players and students long after they graduated. Future generations will be impacted by Kraig’s effect on Calaveras High School and the community at large.
The Adventures of a Lifetime Coach and Athlete
Kraig, who was born in 1978, had a deep passion for basketball as a child. His early years were characterized by an unwavering quest for athletic brilliance, which would later come to characterize him as a coach and player. People who were on the court with Kraig when he was younger remember a talented player who was also a born leader. His perseverance, concentration, and collaboration were obvious, and by the time he graduated from high school, he had established himself as a formidable opponent.
Kraig had a successful basketball career while he was a student-athlete. His hard ethic and competitive attitude were instantly recognized as he was a standout player at Calaveras High School. He stood out from the crowd thanks to his discipline and ambition, and his peers looked up to him. Kraig’s ability to remain composed under duress and his readiness to prioritize the needs of the team over his own were highly regarded by his teammates and coaches. It was obvious that Kraig was supposed to inspire people in addition to being a successful player.
