Dan Otten Courage Award

3rd Annual 2023 Dan Otten Courage Award


District 8 FCA in partnership with Monfort-Vorhees McDonalds


      Dan Otten was a long-time educator and coach at Celina Schools who had a passion for coaching and a love for his students, athletes, and the Lord. Dan passed away from cancer in January 2021 and had exhibited tremendous courage during his 4-year battle.


     We are seeking nominations of high school seniors from Mercer or Auglaize counties who also have exhibited courage overcoming hardships and adversity whether on the playing field, school environment or at home. Minimum GPA or level of athletic success in not a requirement, but the student should possess a good work ethic in athletics and in the classroom. The nominee should be respected by teachers, coaches, administrators, classmates and teammates. This student does not give up, has integrity, courage, an upbeat and positive attitude, humble heart, a professed belief in Jesus Christ and values others above themselves. Philippians 2:3


     Two recipients will be chosen to each receive a $500 award and recognition plaque. Recipients may be from the same school or different schools within Auglaize or Mercer counties. The selection committee will announce the recipients by the last week of April 2023.

Click here to Nominate a Student

 Congratulations 2022 Dan Otten Courage Award Winners!

Carlene Goodwin

Coldwater High School
Nominated by: Eric Goodwin,
Coldwater High School Athletic Director

 Being a former student/athlete under Dan Otten, Carlee learned so much about life and how she should live it. Carlee basically became a daughter to Coach Otten that he never had himself. She would come home everyday from swimming talking about what Coach Otten had taught her today whether it was a new saying or just some words of advice. He has been truly the most inspirational person in her life outside of her family.  
  Carlee had to overcome so much to become an 11 time varsity letter winner (out of 12 seasons) at Coldwater High School. The fact that she overcame not one, but 2 major surgeries to come out stronger each time shows her true character of hard work and spiritual belief. Her sophomore season just prior to State Swim, she had a complete tear of her Labrum while at swim practice. She came back stronger than ever from this. Then this past fall entering her Senior year, she was told she needed Heart Surgery. The surgery was performed at the end of Cross Country cutting her season short but prior to Swimming. She then suffered a "Mini-Stroke" from the Heart Surgery and was hospitalized for 6 days. After weeks of therapy, she came back to finish her swimming career with another trip to the State Swimming Tournament in Canton.  
  Another thing I am extremely proud of Carlee for is her involvement with "Project Everybody Beautiful" as an ambassador for the program. This organization was established for helping women to overcome tragic situations in their life. Carlee saw the importance of this and has been working with this program for 2 years now.  
  To go along with be a 3-sport star at Coldwater High School and overcoming some tragic health situations, she is also and excellent student (3.70 gpa) and is involved in several school organizations. She is a volunteer at the Mercer Health Community Hospital and this has led her to the next chapter in her life. She is planning on attending Ball State University to become a Nurse to help others.
  Here is a link in which her story is told on television as the TV35 Scholar Athlete. It talks about the tragic surgeries she has had to overcome. https://twitter.com/i/status/1498692112824610816 or at www.hometownstations.com/tncms/asset/editorial/9d296179-6108-54c4-9b06-bc55abf33fe9 

Ben Pohl

 Marion Local High School
Nominated by: Jenny Dippold, 
Marion Local High School Guidance Counselor

Ben has met challenges in high school that few students encounter, a cancer diagnosis. As a young sophomore, Ben battled this ugly disease while continuing his studies and remaining in the top 10% of his class. He had many setbacks in his health through his treatment, but Ben
insisted on keeping his full schedule of classes and completed assignments while even hospitalized. Ben did not want people to feel sorry for him nor did he want any “advantages” due to his health situation. He continued to challenge himself at school and immerse himself with his peers as much as he could.  

Ben is now a senior and has been cancer free for a year. He continues to be in the top 10% of his class and has applied to colleges with the goal of obtaining a bachelor's degree mechanical engineering. Observing Ben continue a positive attitude and strong work ethic through such a difficult time has shown his true character. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of a scholarship to help him achieve his goals and dreams for the future. 

Congratulations to the 2021 Dan Otten Award Recipients!

2021 Dan Otten Award Recipient

Sarah Diller

Coldwater Schools


Some highlights from the nomination submitted...


"Sarah Puts others first & has sound Religious beliefs 

-Gives back to the youth by helping coach summer swim 

-Lifeguard & Swim lesson instructor

-Attends catholic youth groups, religion classes, attends church weekly, & lives her faith

-Sarah has also been a great team leader for the past 4 years. TRUST, COMMITMENT, & RELIABLE are the three best words to describe her as a teammate. 


Sarah WAS COACHED BY DAN OTTEN (SHE KNOWS OTTEN INTEGRITY) 

-Not many people know this, but Dan helped me coach Coldwater HS Swim Team as the assistant coach for the past 2 years. 

-Sarah had the honor of learning & living 'OTTEN INTEGRITY'"



Coach Matthew May


2021 Dan Otten Award Recipient

Nate Niekamp

St. Henry Schools


Some highlights from the nomination submitted...


"Nate is the epitome of courage and deserves to be recognized as a Dan Otten Courage Award winner because through all of the ups, downs, highs and lows of being treated for cancer, he never once complained to me, his teammates or his other coaches. His faith and the faith of his family stayed true. Through prayer services at St. Henry Catholic Church; prayers from folks kneeling at their bed side(s) and prayers at homes in St. Henry, across Mercer County, throughout Ohio and around the United States - Nate has been able to endure what no person, much less a teenager, should ever have to go through.


The respect and admiration I have for this young man [& for his parents, family and extended family] cannot be any higher than it is; simply put, he took on Cancer and he did to Cancer what he always used to and can still do with a basketball in his hands - he sank it. 


God Bless,

Eric Rosenbeck

Brad Luthman [Varsity Football Coach & HS Math Teacher]"


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