Even if Valley Christian hadn't decided to name its track facility after former longtime track and cross country coach Dan Kuiper, folks in that school community and around the state would still know who he is. Valley Christian will honor the former coach  -- now the boss (principal) at Valley Christian --  at halftime of Friday night's home football game against Tempe Prep.

Kuiper has taught and coached or been an administrator at Valley Christian for 32 of 33 years it has been open. Kuiper gjuided 27 teams at VC to state titles -- 18 girls track titles, 8 boys track titles and 1 boys cross country crown. Kuiper's girls track teams won a national record 15 consecutive state titles. Individually Kuiper was named National coach of the year twice, Arizona coach of the year 16 times and has been inducted into the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame as well as the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame.

Prior to the game, current and former VC track athletes are invited to attend a reception for Kuiper at Barnes Hall at 6 p.m. and invited to attend the game and halftime festivites free of charge. Also on Friday night Valley Christian will receiver the Don F. Stone Award for Overall Excellence in between the first and second quarters.