Those who can’also teach. Clarkston’s Dustin Coleman, a four-year player for Clarkston High School in the late 1990’s was recognized for his teaching by the parents and players of the Rochester Youth Soccer League.
Coleman, 24, a 2000 CHS graduate has been coaching in the RYSL, a part of the Michigan State Youth Soccer League, for the past three seasons. He was awarded the Coach of the Year award for his work with the under 12 team the Cosmos.
His coaching career started in the fall season of 2004 as his aunt asked to him to coach his then-10-year-old cousin Caroline, whose team was without a leader.
‘It was an immediate good fit,? Coleman said.
His lifelong love of the sport has made him a better coach, Coleman said.
‘Being able to go through all that experience and know how my different coaches taught me has helped me teach them,? he said.
‘Seeing them grow is the best part about it. Seeing them interact’and growing as a team is hands down one the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.?
The former Clarkston net-minder fills his time with work and school as well as his role with an indoor soccer team. Coleman has been enrolled at Oakland University in Rochester since his days at CHS and is now studying both studio art and pursuing his K-12 teaching certificate.
‘I took one drawing class and I knew right off the bat I was going to go into studio art,? Coleman said.
‘Everybody knew this is what I was supposed to go into my whole life, but’it clicked in that one class.?
Coleman is also pursing a degree in Christian ministry where he is in the final year of his study.
‘Just after high school is when I focused my life more around God. It took about a year or so before that program got introduced to me and I was like, ‘Awesome,?? Coleman said.
Coleman is looking to utilize all his talents, no matter which career he chooses.
‘They are probably going to be intertwined throughout my life and even if I’m solely into the ministry I think art is going to be part of that. If I’m an art teacher, I think the ministry, because of who I am, is going to pour out of that,? he said.
Coleman’s passion for soccer began in the second grade, when his best friend introduced him to the sport.
‘There was a big shift there (with) his influence for soccer’ever since then I’ve been passionate about soccer. I was inspired by him to play and ever since then it just grew.?
The finesse, spontaneous nature and necessary endurance are all factors that drew him to the sport.
‘With soccer, because it’s a low scoring event, it adds more intensity,? he said.
Coleman carries a biblical verse with him that inspires him as a teacher and coach.
‘Regarding others as better than yourself and really putting in the time to build each other up,? Coleman said.