Successful journey for Marmion coach

Updated: April 25, 2011 6:24AM

High up in the Memorial Stadium press box following his team's 48-19 Class 6A championship game loss to Rockford Boylan Catholic last fall at the University of Illinois, Marmion Academy head coach Dan Thorpe spoke at length not about losing the game, or the uncharacteristic mistakes his Cadets had made.

He talked of the football family he has fostered over six years at Marmion, as well as a bond formed between current players and alumni. He spoke of honor - the kind he felt in coaching that particular team, but also in the way his players played for one another, their school and their city.

Thorpe was disappointed, but in that moment his mind was on the bigger picture.

"It was the bonding of the school, the rejuvenation of the alumni. It was really cool stuff," Thorpe said. "The kids don't even realize the impact they made. That's what's very rewarding, knowing that we did do that."

In the years I've covered the Cadets football program with Thorpe at the helm, the bigger picture is always on his mind.

If there was any doubt to that however, if there was any thought it could just be lip service, it would have been uncovered in the heated and emotional wake of a championship game defeat - one that prevented the city of Aurora and Marmion from claiming its first title.

With Thorpe, that wasn't going to happen. He is who he is, after each victory and after each loss.

"It speaks volumes about who Dan is," Marmion athletic director Joe Chivari said. "He is a very kind individual. He relates to the kids and it just speaks to his general nature more than just being a football coach. The more you know Dan, the more you find out that he is a very sincere and genuine person and he is a man of high moral character. He tries to infuse that in with the kids and reinforces everything Marmion is about."

So it was without surprise when we learned the veteran coach was recognized twice by Sports Faith International. He was given the All Star Catholic High School Hometown Hero for Lifetime Achievement award, as well as its 2011 Coach of the Year honor.

According to the award's guidelines, a coach is selected "on the basis of outstanding athleticism and exemplary behavior, on and off the field."

Thorpe is a natural honoree.

He has the athletic resume: 28 years on the sidelines in Wisconsin, Ohio and Illinois with a career record of 160-84, a state title in Wisconsin, two state runner-up finishes and over a dozen playoff appearances.

Yet, there is only so much a coach can control once the whistle is blown - but everything that goes on before and after it is much more important.

"It was very humbling," Thorpe said. "You hope the kids realize it's just not all the wins and losses, it's also the journey and how you go about the journey. I'm fortunate to be at a Catholic institution that wants the Catholic faith as part of its education, but then also to be successful they have the support from the parents, the administration, the alumni association, sports boosters and the athletic director and then to be blessed with a successful season."

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