Congratulations to Forest Hills Eastern’s coach, Dan McElheny, on being named Michigan High School Athletic Coaches Association’s State Boys’ Cross Country Coach of the Year!
At a board meeting last year, then athletic director for FHE, Ben Sherman said, “Dan has dedicated himself to building a program that stands not only on the podium of success but on the pillars of hard work, perseverance, and the spirit of family. His leadership has cultivated an environment where athletes don’t just run together; they grow together, forming bonds that withstand the test of time. The true testament to Dan’s impact was witnessed at the state meet, where the Hawks’ presence was not merely a team but a family,” Sherman continued. “Cross-country alumni and their families gathered at MIS not just as spectators but as fervent supporters, radiating the same excitement they experienced during their own running days with Eastern. It was a powerful display of the enduring legacy Dan has created—a legacy that extends beyond wins and losses. In the realm of athletics, we often speak of coaches who shape champions, but Coach McElheny goes beyond that. He shapes individuals who carry the spirit of champions in every aspect of their lives. His coaching philosophy is a beacon, guiding his athletes not only through races but through the marathon of life, instilling values that resonate long after the final lap is run!”
Dan McElheny is also the assistant principal at Forest Hills Eastern High School. McElheny will receive the award at an honors celebration in November at the MHSCA State Awards Luncheon.
