DURANGO, Colo. – Sports have evolved into an integral part of our daily lives, society, and culture. Sports entertains, teaches, and creates passion, but most importantly, sport connects people in ways unfathomable. This year, as a part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers movement, Fort Lewis College men's basketball Associate Head Coach Ty Danielson has the Skyhawks rallying in support of his father, Denny.
Growing up in York, Nebraska, basketball wasn't just a hobby in the cold winter months, it was a family mindset. Having four brothers all compete in the same sport growing up is special enough, but the Danielson's had one other trick up their sleeves. They got to call their coach 'dad' off the court.
"My dad coached all four of my brother's teams from third grade to High School," Ty Danielson said. "Being coached by my dad is truly one of my best memories in life. Dad always valued relationships over wins and losses: something I desperately try to take after. The best part about my dad is he never cared about statistics, learning from my dad meant winning was far more important."
Denny has achieved a goal many fathers strive for but is difficult to attain. Denny has been blessed with the honor to watch his sons move on from dad's team to carving out successful careers in collegiate basketball. Now cheering from the stands instead of the sidelines, Denny and his wife of 35 years, Judy, were prepared to sit back and enjoy all of their son's careers. On July 28, 2022, however, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) found a tumor that would change their lives forever. "I was a healthy, active adult enjoying this time in my life with my wife, but God had another plan for me." Denny Danielson shared.
Removed on August 3, the tumor was diagnosed the following day as a stage four Glioblastoma. Glioblastoma (GBM) also referred to as a grade four astrocytoma, is an aggressive and fast-growing brain tumor that invades nearby tissue.
Ty and his brother Brady, a senior on the men's basketball team at the University of North Dakota have had to confront one of the most challenging roadblocks during any major family event, distance. While Ty had spent all four seasons of his Division II basketball playing career at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, he was currently recruiting and preparing for his second season with Fort Lewis.
"I chose the University of Nebraska at Kearney due to the proximity to my family," Ty said. "I think in my four seasons playing my dad missed 2-3 games, both home and away. The best part about my dad is he never cared about statistics, learning from my dad meant winning was far more important."
Before he knew it Denny went from having just a short hour and a half drive to watch Ty play, to needing a whole day and twelve hours on the road to watch him coach. For Denny and Judy, it meant watching their son grow up and pursue his career and passions. For Ty, it meant being states away and building his career.
"When Ty came to his mom and me a year and a half ago saying he was going to Durango, Colorado, twelve hours from home we were all a bit nervous," Denny said. "But we have always supported our kids in following their passions. Finding someone like Coach Bob Pietrack, who believed in taking a chance on this young coach and giving him this opportunity to grow and learn has been amazing to watch."
In some families sport is a hobby, something to entertain or enjoy in your spare time. For Ty, Brady, and Denny however, basketball is a way of life. Sometimes in sports, there are players larger than life that create a generational impact and fundamentally change the game. For the Danielson's and the National Basketball Association, that figure was Kobe Bryant.
Kobe Bean Bryant was a five-time NBA Champion and member of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996-2016. Tabbed as one of the greatest of all time, Bryant is most known for his prolific 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006 and his famous shoe line with Nike commonly tabbed as, "Kobe's".
Many young basketball players looked up to Bryant for his historic scoring ability. But it was something off the court Bryant coined that would spread beyond basketball: the "Mamba Mentality". "My brother Brady and I share a special love: Kobe Bryant," Ty said. "We were lucky to grow up in a house with Kobe and his style/mentality praised by our dad. What mamba mentality means to our family is a constant quest to be the best version of ourselves, which dad always requires from us."
For Ty and Brady, it began as a work ethic and a way of life. Now supporting their father on the sidelines, however, Mamba Mentality has taken on a new meaning. "Less than two hours after a nearly eight-hour-long brain surgery, my brother Brady and I were able to see my dad for a few seconds," Ty shared. "Dad squeezed our hand and somehow muttered Mamba Mentality. This was a unique moment for us, as it reflects the battles we are going through as a family, and how mamba mentality can keep us fighting.
As the summer ended and another school year was on the horizon, Ty had to make one of the most difficult decisions one could make at a time like this, the choice to return to Durango and continue coaching. Ty had one thing in the back of his mind when returning to Fort Lewis, share his father's story and raise awareness of cancer research through the one medium he knew how, basketball.
"I think it was obvious something was going on with me this summer when I left town, so the team was aware my dad was going through something," said Ty. "It wasn't until I got back to campus that they understood the severity of what was going on. The reaction of the team was amazing. I think it instantly brought us closer together as a unit, seeing somebody fight something much bigger than our daily battles makes it harder to complain about the little things we face. Most of our team understands how much my dad has impacted my life, which has also impacted them."
For the Skyhawks it wasn't just some coach going through a tough time, it was family. Coined "Rally Time For Double D" by the players, the Skyhawks were ready to stand behind the Danielson's and their fight against cancer. "The team decided on the warmup shirts," said Ty. "The Slogan "Rally time for Double D" is a slogan that represents my four brothers and me. My dad would always wear his rally boots at all of my brother's big games, now we get to wear ours for him."
Gallery: (1-23-2023) Denny Danielson Feature #3
For Denny, the support he'd receive from a group of young men guided by his own son was beyond belief. "I am grateful to get to know each of the players and hopefully I can give them some inspiration to always love, appreciate and respect those who are close to you and live each day doing what they love," said Denny. "I realize I am not the only one battling this vicious disease and I want people to know there are so many people in this world battling something. We all need to be a bit kinder as you don't know someone's story. Reaching out to someone you don't even know is a true act of kindness and this world needs a lot of that."
Gallery: (1-22-2023) Denny Danielson Feature #1
Now back in Durango, Colorado, and assisting the Skyhawks on its best start in program history through as many games with a 16-2 record, Ty is using his position to raise awareness of his father's fight and cancer research as a whole with the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers movement.
Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers Week is a nationwide event when basketball coaches across the country unite for a common cause – saving lives from cancer! To raise awareness and bring attention to the cause during this week, we are asking coaches to return to suiting up during their games – and of course, wear their most eye-catching sneakers. From January 23-29, Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers Week will feature the #SuitUp tag on social media. Coaches, players, and fans are encouraged to share who they for throughout the week.
For more than nearly 30 years, the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches have collaborated to unite basketball coaches and fans through the Coaches vs. Cancer program to defeat a common enemy – cancer. Because of their passion and dedicated support, the impact they've made has been felt in communities nationwide.
This month Ty will join his brother Drew, a high school basketball coach back home in Nebraska, in dressing out for games to support the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers week movement. For Ty, suiting up for his father means two things: a navy-blue suit, and a custom pair of Nike Air Force 1s with none other than Kobe Bryant on them. Embroidered with "Coach Ty" on the inside of the suit, it's a reminder of where basketball began, how far a simple sport has taken him, and his purpose to teach on the hardwood. On his feet, however, is a reminder of the Mamba Mentality and both the journey and bond he shares between his dad and brothers.
Gallery: (1-22-2023) Ty Danielson - Coaches vs. Cancer
Ty has always been a passionate, caring type of person with a fighting spirit," Denny shared. "You can watch him coach and understand the passion he has for the players and the game of basketball: he was like that as a child too. I think Ty has always known his passion, but I think now he is learning his purpose. Through the game of basketball, I think he has found a way to help others and do what he was meant to do… teach."
As Ty and the Skyhawks continue to rally for Denny, Ty has just one message he hopes everyone will take away from his families fight, "Please get Screened! It might not save my dad's life, but it might save someone you love. Please donate to Coaches vs. Cancer (www.coachesvscancer.org) because we are losing loved ones every day to this vicious disease. Life is bigger than basketball."
Denny and Judy continue to support Ty, Brady, and his other brothers from back home in York, Nebraska. While he cannot make it to every game, Denny always makes sure Ty has a text or a phone call from dad waiting for him after every game. "Before my dad was diagnosed, I took those conversations for granted," said Ty. "Little does he know how special hearing his voice after a big win, or a tough loss."
While fighting such a difficult battle at home with his wife, Denny continues to preach positivity and face life's toughest challenge head-on. "Coaches Against Cancer is a great way to get the message out that we must find more money for cancer research," Denny said. "As Jimmy V once said, "cancer research may not save my life, it may save my children's lives. It may save someone you love". Jimmy V also said, and I have told my boys many times, no matter how hard life gets, "Don't give up! Don't EVER give up!" He continued to say that there are three things we should do every day of our lives. Laugh-Think-Cry and if we do those seven days a week, we're going to have something special. I choose to continue to live my life this way and let God take care of the rest."
The Danielson's encourage everyone to get screened early and to continue to spread kindness, support one another, and raise awareness for cancer research. Denny would also like to highlight The V Foundation, a foundation for cancer research founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano with one goal in mind; beat cancer. Since its founding in 1993, The V Foundation has awarded over $310 million dollars in cancer research and continues to be in the top two percent of organizations under Charity Navigator, America's largest evaluator of charities, for consistently awarding 100% of all direct donations to cutting-edge cancer research.
The Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers movement will be featured on social media throughout the week of January 23-29 asking who you #SuitUp for. Everyone is encouraged to visit www.coaches.cancer.org for more information about the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society.
