Father, coach tells son’s story

By Holly Neumann

As a standout athlete at an Upper Peninsula high school, Daniel Olson was the real deal.

He was an all-state first-team quarterback at Ishpeming High School, a two-time conference player of the year, UP player of the year and led the Hematites to a state championship game.

He was also a two-time defensive player of the year in basketball and part of an UP championship track relay team.

At the same time, he suffered with anxiety and depression for many years, which ultimately led him to taking his own life on July 19, 2012.
Olson’s father, Jeff, told his son’s story Feb. 13 during a stop at Little Wolf High School in Manawa.

“It started like a normal day,” said Olson, who was not only Daniel’s father, but also his coach. “He seemed to be back to himself. We got done with work, got some sandwiches. He spent time with one of his sisters, played with his brother, then went off and did some things on his own. After he came home, my daughter told me that Daniel had locked himself in the laundry room and been there for a long time.”

Olson got the key, unlocked the door and found his son dead.

“My whole adult life, I have been working with youth,” he said. “Nothing could have prepared me for this.”

With three teenagers at home and his wife Sally gone at the time of Daniel’s passing, the community took care of Jeff until his wife got home.

“They (the community) had our backs,” Olson said. “Suicide was not something people talked about back then. We felt like we were alone on a deserted island. The kindness and compassion shown to our family was amazing.”

Two and a half weeks after the loss of his son, Olson returned to the football field to coach his team with the support of his student-athletes and community behind him.

“There was no question in my mind that I had to get back out there,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if I would be any good, but I had to try.”

The Hematites had a winning season, qualified for Michigan’s Division 7 state playoffs and defeated Detroit Loyola 21-14 to win a state title.

Olson collapsed on the sideline from all the emotion after fulfilling his ultimate dream.

“From the moment Daniel passed away, it was go, go, go, from taking care of my family, coaching and taking care of myself,” he said. “This was Daniel’s dream. He wanted to see me win a state title. Once the clock clicked zero, I said he won one for me through these kids. They did it for Daniel.”

Mental health awareness

Olson has made it his mission to spread awareness of mental health to area students and communities through a documentary, “Do it For Daniel.”

“It is my job to educate people so others don’t have to go through what we went through,” he said. “We have to get past the stigma of mental illness and people thinking you are crazy or weak. Mental health issues are an illness of the brain that are usually very common and treatable.”

There is hope, according to Olson.

“Daniel fought this, but he also fought in silence for five years,” he said. “He needed to do the counseling and he needed to talk about it. Daniel quit talking and wasn’t willing to accept some of the stuff he was supposed to do to help him out.”

There is not always a quick fix, Olson said.

“Don’t give up,” he said. “There is always something that you can try. You are not alone.”

The one takeaway Olson hopes his audiences gain is an understanding of mental illness.

“Be kind,” he said. “You never know what someone is going through. Make it easy for people to come forward if they are struggling. Be compassionate.”

Olson said he is not angry with his son.

“We worked to keep him alive,” he said. “We got to see the struggle that he tried to fight, but he lost his battle. He was hurting so bad and the pain was unbearable. I wish he would not have done it, but this is the choice he made and we have to live with it.”

More information on Daniel’s story can be found at doitfordaniel.com or facebook.com/doit4daniel.

Olson said his son’s story is not over.

“His story has not ended as long as it’s still being told,” he said. “Even though I cannot hug him, Daniel is still here. His story is helping people and it’s going to continue.”