Honoring Otten's legacy

COLDWATER - Courage is a word that has been used often to describe Dan Otten.

The longtime coach and teacher at Celina died in January after a second battle with cancer. Otten gained a strong reputation of not only being concerned for the athletic well-being of the student-athletes, but making sure they were achieving in the classroom and in life.

The District 8 chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which includes the schools in Mercer and Auglaize County, decided to honor Otten with the Dan Otten Courage Award.

"We were just looking for a way to honor him," said FCA District 8 Area Representative Steve Stroh. "(Otten) was real instrumental for FCA in the area. We formed a committee to discuss what the the criteria would be and got it out to the schools."

Teachers and coaches nominated students for the award. Athletic success or grade point average were not a major factor in the nominating practice. Nominees who did not give up, showed success in overcoming hardship and adversity and showed integrity, courage and an upbeat and positive attitude - traits Otten showed during his life - were key factors.

St. Henry's Nate Niekamp and Coldwater's Sarah Diller were the first honorees. The two received checks for $500 donated by Monfort-Vorhees McDonald's with plaques - one for each winner and another to be placed at Celina High School - to be presented at a later date.

Niekamp, who was nominated by St. Henry High School Principal and head basketball coach Eric Rosenbeck and football coach Brad Luthman, was diagnosed with sarcoma a freshmen and went through several years of procedures and treatments before he went into remission during his senior season.

"I was surprised when (Rosenbeck) called me when I was doing my school work," said Niekamp. "I was thankful for (the award) and that they were thinking of me."

Although unable to compete in contact sports due to his condition, Niekamp did compete in the fall on the St. Henry golf team, earning first team All-Midwest Athletic Conference honors as a senior.

During the basketball season, Niekamp, whose father Terry is a longtime Redskin assistant basketball coach, made his presence known supporting the team his senior season. His continued support was honored when he had the chance to start the Redskins' final regular season home game against Delphos St. John's, making his lone shot attempt before coming off the floor to a standing ovation.

"Mercer County is probably the best community to live in for things like this," said Niekamp, who is currently undecided about college but mentioned Edison State to major in business as an option. "The support I've received from the towns in Mercer County and beyond has been amazing."

Diller was nominated by Coldwater swimming coach Matt May for her outstanding work ethic, her drive to put others first, sound religious beliefs and work as a lifeguard, a swim instructor and in youth groups.

"I actually had no idea that (May) put me up for the award until I found out I won," said Diller, who is planning to attend the University of Cincinnati to study nursing. "It was a shock all at once. It's an honor to be nominated in the first place, let alone win."

Diller had the chance to work with Otten during his two-year service as an assistant swimming coach at Coldwater.

"He wasn't just my swim coach. He was involved in my life in so many ways," said Diller. "He kept up with me all throughout the year. During golf, he would text me and keeping up with my matches and he got to watch the best golf match I ever had. He always supported me as a person. If I ever needed anything, I knew he was always a person I could ask for help."