Orbaker inducted into Section V Hall of Fame

Contributed Photo – Long time Holley soccer Coach Dan Orbaker, second from right, was inducted into the Section V Hall of Fame Thursday evening. He is shown here with several members of his family, from left, Maggie Orbaker, Caleb Orbaker, Colton Orbaker and Dr. Eugene Orbaker. Also attending but not in the picture was Darlene Orbaker.

The achievements and contributions of his 33 years of coaching at Holley were recognized and honored as longtime Hawks soccer Coach Dan Orbaker was inducted into the Section V Hall of Fame Thursday evening.

During his years at the helm which began in 1986, Orbaker, who taught Physics and Chemistry at Holley for 36 years, guided the Hawks to 13 Genesee Region League titles, 9 Section V titles and 2 state championships while compiling a record of 457-149-51 which is sixth best on the all-time Section V list.

Orbaker’s achievements over the years earned him G-R Coach of the Year honors 15 times, Section V Coach of the Year 10 times as well as New York State Coach of the Year and Northeast Regional Coach of the Year honors.

In a speech on behalf of their father Orbaker’s sons, Caleb and Colton, pointed to “another side of this coach, our father, which truly made a difference in the lives of over 1,200 Holley student-athletes in those 33 years.”

They pointed to three important core values on which their father built the Hawks soccer program on – Loyalty, Sportsmanship and Sacrifice.

“Loyalty to his community, his school, his players and his family,” they said. “He truly understood the value of building meaningful relationships with his players and the community.

“Our father was more than a technical coach,” they noted. “He coached his teams to truly appreciate the sport of soccer through sportsmanship, leadership ad character. He taught us what it meant to represent our community and our school with pride. He reminded us we were creating a legacy for younger generations and its importance for the sport.”

“Of course, it goes without saying that Dad’s level of success doesn’t come without thousands of hours of sacrifice,” they added noting the number of conferences, planning and practice sessions, scouting trips and attending and hosting soccer clinics and camps he had over the years. “His sacrifice came in the form of ‘not being home’ with his family. However, what Dad did so effectively was include all of us in his passion for the sport and in coaching by allowing us to be an active part of it daily. We were in this tougher – and we didn’t see it as a sacrifice, but as a team sport.”

“Let us celebrate not only the amazing record of achievements he worked tirelessly for and earned over his 33 years, but also his lasting impact on the lives of players he coached over the years,” they concluded.  “We know our success in our soccer careers was largely due to his coaching and guidance, but it is his demonstration of a Man of Character, that is what we will be forever grateful.”