Bob Burlison (Outstanding Athlete and Coach) - High School - The 1974 Palma graduate was hitting the shots and calling the shots as a basketball player and coach. Bob was chosen to be the All-Central Coast Section Region IV's MVP, Region IV First Team, All-Valley MVP, All-Valley First Team, MTAL MVP, and All-MTAL First Team. He was league MVP in his junior and senior years and a first-team All-NorCal pick as a senior. He left as the school's all-time scoring leader.

College  - Bob then helped San Diego State to a Pacific Coast Athletic League title and NCAA berth, and while attending Hartnell College as a sophomore, was All-Conference.

Coach - Bob coached Palma to the 1992 State D-IV Championship and the Cal State University Monterey Bay to its first title in history in 2001 and was named  District Coach of the Year. While coaching MPC to four 20-win seasons he was Conference Coach of the Year in 1995-96.

Steve Clayton (Outstanding Athlete, Coach, and Athletic Director) - High School  - Steve's senior year at Palma in 1976, Steve was named the class valedictorian and Athlete of the Year.

Coach/Athletic Director - Years later, Steve returned to teach, coach, and become the school's athletic director for 23 years to help Palma become one of the strongest athletic programs in the Central Coast Section. In 2010, he was the CCS Athletic Director of the Year. In 2011, he was awarded the CCS Distinguished Service Award and in 2012, was honored as the California Interscholastic Athletic Director of the Year. He played a key role in presenting the equity league concept to the Southern Conference of the CCS, and as head of the Palma, Athletic Council organized the prime fund-raising activities for the school that helped fund a synthetic track and turf football field and new hardwood gym floor.

Norm Cost (Outstanding Coach) - Norm Costa's tenure as the head coach of Palma's football program was nothing short of transformative. When he took over in 1977, the Chieftains were struggling, having just finished their fifth consecutive losing season, and were far removed from their last league title in 1970. Yet, over the next two decades, Costa would turn the program into one of the most successful and respected in the Central Coast Section (CCS), and in Monterey County.

Costa’s arrival marked the beginning of a new era for Palma. He introduced the fly offense, a system focused on speed and movement to exploit defensive weaknesses. The offense was especially effective for teams with smaller rosters, and it played a key role in Palma’s rise. Costa's ability to adapt his strategy to his team's strengths helped level the playing field and allowed them to compete against larger, more powerful teams.

His early years at Palma were characterized by a period of rebuilding. However, by 1982, the Chieftains had turned the corner, finishing that season with a winning record, and it would be the last time they ever had a losing season under Costa’s leadership. By 1984, just his eighth season, Costa led Palma to their first Mission Trail Athletic League (MTAL) title in 14 years. That victory marked the beginning of a streak of league championships that lasted through the entirety of his coaching career.

Costa's accomplishments didn't stop there. Under his leadership, Palma became the dominant football program in the Salinas Valley, winning seven CCS championships from 1977 to 1999. The team also set a section record for consecutive games without a loss, going 48 games from 1989 to 1992. During the early 1990s, one of his teams was even ranked No. 1 in the state. Over his 23 seasons, Costa's teams only lost 38 games, an astonishing record of consistency and excellence.

By the time Costa stepped down in 1999, he had amassed an impressive 253 career victories, cementing his place as the winningest high school football coach in Monterey County history.

Costa's legacy extends far beyond the field. He instilled a winning mentality and discipline that shaped generations of young athletes at Palma, and his influence can still be felt in the program today. His ability to elevate a struggling program to sustained success is a testament to his vision, leadership, and dedication to his players.

Ron Critchfield (Outstanding Coach) - Ron was a successful coach at Palma from 1966 to 2022. In 1966, he joined the coaching staff of Palm and attended a basketball clinic where he learned about a system called the Auburn Shuffle. Critchfield made some changes to the system and then implemented it at Palma. During his time coaching at Palma, Critchfield never had a losing season. Palma won more than a dozen league titles and CCS championships in 1997, 1999, and 2000. Additionally, Palma reached the Northern California regional semifinals four times. Critchfield had an overall record of 485-157 while coaching the Palma basketball team for 26 years. His coaching resulted in 14 league titles, four Region IV crowns, and three CCS Division IV titles. With 494 career victories, Critchfield is ranked No. 2 on the all-time Salinas Valley Prep coach's basketball list.

Chris Dalman (Outstanding Athlete and Coach) - College - Chris was a four-year starting lineman at Stanford University and was named second-team All-Pac 10 in 1992. He was drafted in the sixth round by the San Francisco 49ers. Dalman was a member of the 49ers 1994 Super Bowl Championship team and played in three NFC championship games. He was selected to play in the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game in 1993. From 2005-2006, he was the assistant offensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons, then returned to Stanford as offensive line coach and running game coordinator until 2009.

Chris served as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Palma from 2001 to 2005. He then left to coach in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and at Stanford, before returning to Palma from 2009 to 2017.

Joey Dansby (Outstanding Athlete and Coach) - High School  - Joey was a three-time league champion, CIF Central Coast Section Champion, the only one at Palma to place twice in the CIF State Championships in wrestling, California Cadette Freestyle All-American, and a three-year member of the California Junior National Team.

College - At Cal Poly, Joey was a four-time letterman, three-time Pac-10 Conference Medalist, three-time Olympic Trials Qualifier, and a member of the National Greco-Roman Team.

Coach  - Joey became the head coach at Cuesta Community College in 2001. As a coach, he has won five Conference Championships, and three Community College State Championships, and has coached sixteen All-Americans. Joey has been Conference Coach of the Year, five times and was inducted into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017 and inducted into the California Chapter of the National Hall of Fame on October 24, 2021.

David Esquer (Outstanding Athlete and Coach)  - High School  - Dave was a three-sport star and class valedictorian. In his senior year was team captain and MVP in football, basketball, and baseball.

College  - Walk-on for the Stanford University baseball team eventually became the starting shortstop for the Cardinals in the 1987 National Championship squad.

Coach  -  In 1999, Dave was named head coach of the University of California-Berkeley baseball team. in 2011, he guided the Bears to the College World Series and was named National Coach of the Year. Dave was also the 2001 Pac-10 Coach of the Year. After 18 years at Cal, Esquer was named head baseball coach at his alma mater, Stanford in 2017.

David Fales (Outstanding Athlete) - David Fales distinguished himself as a standout quarterback with a remarkable arm, leading to a record-setting career at San Jose State and later in the NFL.

High School  - David was twice selected as All-League as a Quarterback and Tri-County League offensive MVP.

College - At MPC, David was ranked among the top 10 JC quarterbacks in the nation. David went on to San Jose State and became the school’s record holder in every significant passing category. As a junior at SJS in 2012 he had the highest completion percentage in the nation and was third in the nation in passing efficiency with 357 completions on 451 attempts {72.1 %} for 4,193 yards and 33 touchdown and was a Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-American. That same season SJS was ranked No. 24 in the AP poll, its first national ranking since 1975. The Spartans also played their first bowl game since 2006, beating Bowling Green 29-20 in the Military Bowl. David was named the game’s MVP, completing 33 passes in 45 attempts for 395 yards and two touchdowns. In his senior year the Spartans went 6-6 but in the last game of his college career David threw for 547 yards and six touchdowns against unbeaten and 16th ranked Fresno State in a 62-52 SJS victory. 

Professional  - David was drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. He played with the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears in 2016, Miami Dolphins in 2018, NY Jets in 2019, and the Detroit Lions. On Dec. 31, 2018, David was the Dolphin quarterback for nearly the entire game against the Buffalo Bills. He completed 29 of 42 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown

Nate Holaday (Outstanding Athlete)  - Nate's sport at Palma was basketball. Nate was on the lightweight team during the 1965-1966 season, defeating Salinas High in the season's opening game. Nate led the team as a consistent double-figure scorer, played a pivotal position, had a great season that included three 18-point efforts and was the leading rebounder.

Nate was on the varsity team in his junior year and on coach Ron Critchfield's debut season as Palma's varsity head basketball coach. Nate's team had the first-ever victory over the Salinas Cowboys and had the winningest season ever with a 20-8 record.

Nate's senior year topped the previous season by running up an unprecedented  20-3 record and ripping off twelve straight victories in mid-season for a new school record. The biggest surprise of the season was Nate's performance as center. Nate led the squad in scoring, rebounding, and shooting percentage, achieving All-League, All-Tournament, and All-Diocesan honors, as well as being named Most Valuable Player in the MTAL.

Greg Lane (Outstanding Athlete and Coach) - High School  - Greg was a talented athlete who excelled in three sports: football, basketball, and track. However, most of his awards and accolades were earned through football. He was a three-time All-MTAL tailback (1985, 1986, 197), three-time All-CCS (1985, 1986, 1987), a two-time MTAL Offensive Back of the Year (1986,1987), a two-time Salinas Valley Offensive MVP (1986,1987), a three-time All Salinas Valley Offense (1985, 1986, 1987), and the CCS Sophomore of the Year (1985). In basketball, Greg played as a guard and received the following recognitions: All MBL Honorable Mention in 1986 and 1987, and All MTAL Honorable Mention in 1988. Greg was a CCS Qualifier in the triple, long jump, and 4 x 400 relay in 1987 and 1988.

College - Greg played football at Hartnell for two years. He was on All Coast Conference player in 1988 and 1989 and received Honorable Mention in 1988. Later, he transferred to Washburn University in Kansas, where he was named All MIAA and Team Offensive MVP in 1990.

Coach - In 2004, Greg returned to his alma mater as the jumping coach. During his coaching career, he has trained four of the top five record holders in the long jump, one top record holder in the triple jump, two CCS Champions, and four State Qualifiers. Greg is also the jumping coach  for Notre Dame and has coached three of the top five record holders in both the long jump and triple jump.

Marc Matock (Outstanding Athlete) - High School - Marc was the top defensive lineman to ever come out of Palma and Monterey County; anchored the Chieftain defense that won a pair of CCS football titles earning a scholarship to USC; 3 sport HS athlete; earned a spot in the CIF T& F meet in 1994 in the shot put; member of the CIF Div. IV championship basketball team in 1992, the only state boys basketball championship captured in Monterey County.

College - Defensive tackle in his final two seasons at USC; earned All-Pac 10 conference honors. Final season for USC, he blocked a field goal to preserve a win over Oregon, completing 64 tackles over his final 20 games.

Professional - Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Lions.

Tony Rossi (Outstanding Coach) - Tony was a skilled football player who played at Palma for four years. After that, he returned to his alma mater and joined the coaching staff in 1975. He coached the lineman during his thirty-three years as an assistant coach and was a significant part of Palma's football dynasty. Palma won twenty-three league championships and thirteen CCS championships during his tenure.

Tony's coaching skills helped numerous linemen to play collegiate ball and some even went on to play professionally. These include Andy Tribble (Washington State University), Chris Dalman (Stanford and San Francisco 49ers), Marc Matock (University of Southern California), Dirk Giannini (Santa Clara), Steve And Richard Zenk (Santa Clara), Matt Panziera (Santa Clara), Elliott Vallejo (University of California, Los Angeles), and Carlos Rivera (San Jose State) to name a few.

Tony coached alongside Palma Hall of Fame, Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, and friend, coach Norm Costa, Jeffrey Wright for many years.

1992 Basketball Team (Outstanding Team) - In 1992, the Palma Chieftains became the first - and through 2015 - the only boys basketball team from Monterey County to win a state title. They ended the season on an 18-game win streak and finished 29-2 overall. To reach the state D-IV title game Palma beat WCAL champion Mitty (66-47), Bret Harte (75-51), Drake (55-47), and Cardinal Newman (56-47). The Chieftains played LIncoln Prep of San Diego in the state title game. They trailed 54-53, but center Brandon Peterson tipped in what proved to be the winning basket with 18 seconds to go to give Palma a 55-54 win. 

Team  -  Coach Bob Burlison, Coach John Amaral, Coach Mark Crossgrove, Chad Amaral, Matt Amaral, Mike Bacling, Mike Costagnetto, Joey Diaz, Sky Feekes, Casey Kelly, Robert Long, Marc Matock, Todd McRae, Brandon Peterson, David Sargenti, Josh Short, Ken Young, and Steven Zenk.