Oct. 19, 2007

When Clarke College soccer player Dustin Whelan watched his dad walk across the stage at the 2007 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame ceremony in San Jose, Calif., he was very proud that his dad accomplished such a feat.

Dr. Gene Whelan, of West Richland, Wash., was one of seven athletes inducted into the association's hall of fame this past August. Along with his hall of fame honors, Whelan was a member of the 1976 Olympic team, an NCAA All-American and national champion at Penn State.

"I have always seen my dad as my role model," Dustin said. "I am so proud of him. He has a work ethic I could only dream about having. Anyone who works that hard at everything they do deserves whatever they get."

Dustin's mom, Heidi, also has an impressive resume. She was a member of the University of Massachusetts' gymnastics team that captured the 1973 AIAW national championship in Des Moines, Iowa. 

With such a great gymnastic background it's a wonder why Dustin is a soccer player and not a gymnast.

"Dustin is not flexible at all," Heidi said jokingly. "When he was younger he couldn't even do a cartwheel. He is better suited for the `male' sports like soccer, basketball and football. Plus, all of his uncles play soccer."

Although Dustin didn't pick up the gymnast gene from his parents, he did pick up their work ethic.

"My dad always told me that he didn't have any natural born talent, which is very hard to believe," Whelan said. "To him it is all about work ethic. He always tells me that I can do whatever I set my mind to."

This has stuck with Dustin ever since he was a young athlete. Clarke Coach Sean Esterhuizen sees this and credits Dustin for his hard work. Esterhuizen has known the Whelan family for five years because he also coached Dustin in high school.

"Dustin is very competitive, but not a loud competitor," Esterhuizen said. "It is impressive that he doesn't talk big, but he does big. This is quality of leadership that you need on the field.

Dustin's dad is also seen as a quiet competitor in his son's eyes.

"My dad is very humble about all of his success," Dustin said. "He doesn't want people to praise him; he is very modest and made the most noise during a competition."

With the success of Dustin's parents, having them on the sidelines cheering on their son is always a plus.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Heidi and Gene," Esterhuizen said. "They always have high expectations for Dustin and the team he is on. They expect nothing but the best."

Coming from a competitive family, loud or not, has shaped Dustin as an athlete today.

"Dustin knows that if he works hard then good things will happen," Heidi said. "People who were given things instead of working for them never amounted to anything because they didn't see the value within themselves. Dustin sees and knows his worth as an athlete."z

Courtesy of Sarah Bradford, Clarke Sports Information Student Assistant