“Growing up, playing flag football was so much more than just learning a sport, it was my anchor during a very unstable time in my childhood. Every week, I stepped onto the field and felt like I had a purpose, a place where I truly belonged. My team quickly became my family, and Coach Dee was the heart of that family. With him as a coach, it was always so much bigger than the game as he instilled in each one of us dedication, teamwork, and the importance of community. To this day, Coach Dee is one of the most impactful male role models I have in my life. One of my most meaningful memories was inviting him to Grandparents Day at my school (Greenwich Country Day) because I didn’t have a grandparent who could come. Without hesitation, Coach Dee showed up, participated in all the activities of the day, and made me feel so loved and supported. That memory will always be one of my favorites.

Those early lessons of perseverance when things were hard, commitment to something bigger than myself, and the power of showing up for others, have shaped every step of my journey. After graduating from Sacred Heart University, I went on to earn my master’s degree in Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University. Today, I’m attending medical school at the University of Virginia and working toward becoming a physician. The principles I learned on that field—teamwork, grit, and community—still guide me every day as I strive to serve, support, and pour into others just as Coach Dee poured into me.” 

- Kaly Dominique Houston