Ben Danielson – Class of 1995
November 18, 2007
My Thunder Reflection…
In an age of indulged youth, where teachers, parents and coaches go out of their way to build positive esteem in young people by emptily celebrating any little activity or accomplishment…Coach Thornton always provided the best mirror that would openly and honestly provide me with what I needed throughout my days at Olaf. While some of my stories may sound negative…I always was motivated by Coach. I always wanted to impress him. I never doubted his commitment to his sport or to his team. Lessons…
On Recruiting….
I first met Coach T. when I was a senior in high school. I sat in his office as an eager prospective student. We spent about 2 minutes together. The dialogue….”Runners are a dime a dozen…get me a good high jumper and we can win some meets. Did you hear that we got Ken Hoffman coming next year?…so go ahead take a booklet and see you later.”
Verdict: he was right…Ken was a stud.
On multi-sport athletes…
I did not run my first year at Olaf. I chose to play club volleyball. I came out for Track and Field as a sophomore and he did not talk to me for my first weeks on the team. Coach Daymont pointed out that I may have some potential and his response…”he’s not bad for a faggoty volleyball player”
Verdict: Right again, volleyball….I mean c’mon.
On Track and Field…
We had three 400 meter runners who were to qualify for the finals of the MIAC outdoor meet in 1993. Willie Kugel (the top seed from Olaf) pulled a hamstring during prelims and Chris Welsh ran into a hurdle that someone left on the track and I had my own issues. The meet was at Carleton and I had just won my prelim heat and I was underneath the stadium taking off my spikes near the St. Ben’s camp. Coach came down and asked, “Do you know what you did?” I responded, “I think so…I made finals?” In a raging, intense, thunderish voice he responded, “It’s a simple f****** game, stay between the god damn lines.” The indoor track was silent and he looked to my left and saw Willie with ice on his hamstring..”and YOU, Willie Kugel, quit your god damn sandbagging” Apparently I had DQ’d.
Verdict: I shouldn’t have DQ’d and Willie did end up being quite the sandbagger.
On the subtleties of coaching the female athlete…
“Sh&!, Meg, it’s a track meet not a God Damn beauty pageant”
Verdict: Brilliant message.
On the nicest thing he ever said to me at Olaf…
My senior year I had won a race and set a conference record on the Friday night of the Indoor conference meet. At Davanni’s he approached me and said, “Hey Ben, that wasn’t half that bad” The next day I completely pissed down my leg in the 800 meters. His tirade included…”That was such horse sh&!, I take back every nice thing I ever said to you …”
Verdict: Those 15 hours of basking in his compliment were awesome.
On acceptance…
Many of my happiest experiences occurred with Coach after I graduated Olaf. I became a track coach and I loved the moments where he would invite me to sit with him at state meets or any meets I saw him. We would sit and he would talk with me as if we were colleagues. Upon graduation, I had earned my stripes and we could then sit with a common respect. I enjoy seeing him and I continue to think very highly of him. We all need people in our lives who will challenge us.
