October 11, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
A brief dedication observance was held Monday evening at the “Dylan Kleparek Coach K Soccer Field” at DeKalb County High School. It comes almost a year after the Board of Education named the field for the legendary Tiger and Lady Tiger soccer coach.
Coach K, as he is affectionately known, helped start the high school soccer program 40 seasons ago (combined boys and girls seasons) and has been it’s only head coach for both boys and girls teams (spring and fall) since.
“I am so blessed to have such a great community, group of fans, friends, and family that all support me so much. It’s a little embarrassing. I’m not the type of person who likes to make a big deal about myself but its such an honor to have this field. It will last forever and that means a lot to leave a legacy,” said Coach K.
In addition to his years of coaching, Kleparek is also a veteran teacher with 21 years in the classroom and all of that time has been in DeKalb County.
“I was lucky enough to get a job straight out of college here and my first year I coached football the first semester, and then the principal asked me to start a soccer team. We didn’t have a girls team the first fall. It seems like its gone by really fast but at the same time we have come a long way from a pair of basketball shorts and some baseball socks and a tee shirt that started our uniforms to now we have our own field and practice field. It’s a nice big program with some great kids, parents, and people supporting it,” Coach K continued.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps commended Coach K for his dedication and commitment to the DCHS Soccer Program and the student athletes.
“I have said many times that coaches get to forge relationships with their players that a lot of people never see or understand because they spend so much time with them on the practice field, bus trips, etc.. Coach K has established those kinds of relationships. A testament to that is a lot of former players have come back today to share this moment with him. We are proud of him. Coach K has made this program succeed and although he has had help along the way with great parents and boosters its his dedication to the kids every day that has made it special,” said Director Cripps.
Last November former Board of Education member Kate Miller made the motion to name the new soccer field for Coach K saying at the time that the tribute was fitting. The motion was adopted by the board.
“Over four years ago this board voted to build a soccer field at DCHS. Prior to that these teams had no field of their own. They had to use the football field or practice field. I am pleased to report that after many hours of hard work and lots of people involved, we have a soccer field and it is beautiful even though it is not completely done. Without a doubt the soccer field and program would not be where it is today without the work and dedication of Coach K. He was instrumental in starting the program. He has been the only high school coach of the girls and boys teams and has been involved in the community in the rec league program. If you know or have ever played for Coach K you know how competitive he is. He always wants to win and hates to lose and he coaches his players this way. But first and foremost he coaches his players to be good students, good people, and respectful individuals. Tonight I would like to make a motion that we name the soccer field the Dylan Kleparek Coach K Soccer Field,” said Kate Miller last November.