When my kids were pre-schoolers/infants they were well-taken care parts of several days a week of by a very caring family, the Kuipers -- Dan and Kathy and at the time two of their three children).  Kathy did the bulk of the taking care of as a stay-at-home mom while Dan was in his early teaching and coaching years at Valley Christian High School when the school was located in Tempe.

Little did I know as a young high school writer at that time how accomplished Dan would become and remains better than two decades late.

Dan Kuiper was recently name (for the second time in his career) the National Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year for 2012. He previously claimed that honor in 2005. Kuiper's coaching resume includes 26 state titles (18 girls track titles and eight boys track titles.). Valley Christian's boys track program won its eighth state crown this past spring. Dan's first title came in 1992 (girls track).

Valley Christian won 15 girls track titles in a row (1996-2010) -- a national record with Dan at the helm. Dan was inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 with the impressive collection of titles punching his ticket.

Kuiper has served Valley Christian in various capacities for nearly 30 years and spends countless additional hours involved with his church. Soft-spoken, humble and dedicated to all he does, Dan is a shining example to all that coaching and teaching can bring to a community.