Ishpeming's Olson Lives Emotional Roller Coaster

GLADSTONE---It was July 19, 2012....the day that changed Jeff Olson's life forver.

The veteran Ishpeming High School football coach saw what no parent ever wants to see: his son, Daniel, was dead. And at his own hand. Just 19 years old, Daniel Olson was extremely popular and had led his football team to the state finals as a senior.

But Jeff Olson and his wife Sally had to bury their son, and then, a few weeks later, had to get on the football field and somehow find a way to get ready for the 2012 season.

At the same time, Ishpeming High School senior Eric Dompierre had to practically beg the Michigan High School Athletic Association to allow him to play with his teammates.

Ishpeming's Jeff Olson was named the 2012 MHSFCA state football Coach of the Year.

He had been held back because of Down Syndrome, and it took a public outcry to convince the MHSAA to "just let Eric play".

And then, there was the business of the 2012 football season, and Olson rallied his troops to an improbable state champiponship over heavy favorite Detroit Loyola.

And then this past November, the Hematites were an even bigger underdog to Detroit Loyola. And they beat the Detroit team again...and by a wider margin.

So, what was all of that like for Olson?

"It's been very emotional," he said. "My goal, ever since I took this job 22 years ago was to win a state championship. That was my son's goal, too. He wanted me to win one. He reallyn didn't care about himself. To be able to have the fruits of your labor come true over the last two years, and get the ultimate prize, it's very satisfying."

Olson says the whole thing, though, is not about him.

"I'm very proud of the kids, and I'm proud of the community," Olson said. "To see it happen with everybody putting in the blood, sweat, and tears, two win two state championships, it's just been phenominal."

Jeff Olson coaching basketball Monday.

But how did Olson manage to keep it all together, both for himself, and for his team?

"I had some great coaches when I was younger," Olson said. "Mike Mileski. Gordy Laduc. You learn through athletics how to battle through adversity. You learn how to handle negative situations as well as positive."

"I really think that learning experience that I had throughout my athletic playing days and then through coaching...it prepares you for life lessons, that's for sure."

Olson says that the support from the Ishpeming community sustained him through the tough times. And he was pleased to share the good times with those same people.

"They helped my family out through a very hard time," Olson said. "They also helped these kids through all of their support, and in the way that they've treated these kids. It makes the kids want to work at it because they know they have the whole community around them, and the whole school around them as well."

Olson took over as varsity basketball coach, and he was on the sidelines Monday night as the Hematites beat the Gladstone Braves, 68-44, in Gladstone.

Jeff Olson gives instructions during Monday's game in Gladstone.

"It is something different for me, although I've coached JV and freshmen for about 20 years," Olson said. "I don't know if this will be for one year or ten years. It's something tough to take over a basketball program like this, so we'll see."

And as for that Hematite football team, which shocked all the football observers from lower Michigan not once, but twice, in the past two years.

"Don't underestimate the heart of a Yooper," Olsen said. "The kids are tough. They're hard-nosed. Sometimes, those downstate teams aren't ready for that."

Date	Time	Opponent	Score	Record

12/30	5:30 PM	at Gladstone Braves	68 - 44 (W)	1-0

1/21	7:30 PM	Gladstone Braves	57 - 47 (W)

1/22	7:30 PM	at Gwinn Model Towners	55 - 51 (W)

Briones Scores 29 As Hematites Beat Braves, 68-44

Monday December 30, 2013