A dedication ceremony was held on Monday, October 10, honoring the only soccer coach DeKalb County High School has ever known. Coach Dylan Kleparek or “Coach K” as he is known on the field, was recognized with a yet unfinished sign naming the DCHS soccer field as “Dylan Kleparek Coach K Soccer Field.” The field has officially been known as Kleparek Field for some time now, but the ceremony highlighted the honor.
“Coach K, as he has come to be known and loved by the many faces that have come through the soccer programs here at DeKalb County High School, has been the face of soccer in the county. It seems fitting, now that this field has been built, that we remember Coach K through the annals of DeKalb County High School,” said Assistant Principal Thomas Cagle.
Cagle explained that the metal sign will now be painted black with a lit amber insert, and will be posted at the entrance of the field when finished.
This is Kleparek’s 21st year teaching and his 40th season as the soccer coach. “It seems like it’s gone by really fast, but at the same time we’ve come a long, long way. From some basketball shorts, some baseball socks, and a tee shirt to start our uniforms, to now when we have our own field, our own practice field and a nice big program with great kids and parents. We have great people supporting it.”
“It’s an honor. I am so blessed to have such a great community, a great group of fans, friends, and family that all support me so much. It’s such an honor to have this field. To be honest, it’s a little bit embarrassing. I’m not the type of person who likes to make a big deal about myself but it’s such an honor, and something that will last forever. That means a lot to leave a legacy,” said Coach K.
“I’m a DeKalb County kid through and through. 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,” Coach K said.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps talked about Coach K’s dedication to the program and the players. “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, and those are times people don’t get to see when they get to see the different side of the kid. Coach K has established those relationships.”
“We are proud of him. I remember when they first started out and he made it succeed. He has had help along the way with great parents and boosters, but it’s his dedication to the kids every day that has made it special,” said Director Cripps.
Last November the Board of Education voted to name the new soccer field in honor of Coach K.
