Daskarolis made a large impact on Aragon athletics. In 1993, Daskarolis was named the Central Coast Section Honor Coach for cross country, and in 2012 he was named the California Interscholastic Federation Model Coach for track and field.
“He did a great job working with all levels of kids,” Sell said. “He was super knowledgeable but also truly cared about the experience of the student athlete.”
As one of the longest serving members in Aragon athletics, Daskarolis had the opportunity to work with a vast number of students as a mentor and leader.
“If you look at the sheer number of kids who do track and field and cross country, … there’s nobody in the history of our school who has impacted more kids,” Sell said. “He inspired people to love running [and] more importantly than that, he convinced them that they could conquer something that seemed insurmountable.”
Daskarolis shared his passion for running with students and changed lives in the process. His service to Aragon was recognized in 2014 when the Aragon track was named after him. Daskarolis has been honored numerous times with awards such as the Dan Fukushima Lifetime Achievement Award as well as being inducted into the Crystal Springs Hall of Fame, the Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame and the Aragon Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2009, Daskarolis won the CCS Distinguished Service Award.
“He was great to work with. He was a very caring coach. He cared for his athletes. He cared for the other coaches,” said cross country coach Frank Hunt. “He was a coach far longer than I was. He had so much knowledge. I was able to pick his brain. We really had a good relationship.”
Along with being a very knowledgeable coach, Daskarolis was truly passionate about providing the best opportunities for his athletes.
“He was a very generous man,” Hunt said. “There were times when certain athletes didn’t have the right shoes or something. He was more than happy to buy them a pair of shoes.”
Daskarolis’ commitment to Aragon athletics was truly commendable. He went above and beyond to provide the best experience for his athletes and improve his community.
On Oct. 23, a memorial for Daskarolis was held on the Aragon track. Led and organized by Steve Sell, the event featured multiple speakers and many stories about Daskarolis. Friends, colleagues, family members and former students all came to share memories and honor him. With a large turnout and many former athletes returning to pay their respects, Daskarolis’ impact on the community was very evident.
“He loved his sport and was able to impart that love for the sport on his students, to the point where I bet they are all runners to this day,” said Ann Pendergast, a former Aragon athlete from the class of 1999. “No matter where you ended in the race, at the front, at the middle or the end, he always made sure that you felt special and you felt like you did the best that you could. He never got down on you for your performance.”
Daskarolis’ positive encouragement extended to all skill levels. Many former athletes at the memorial event noted that Daskarolis helped them improve and develop confidence, despite not being the fastest runner when they started.
“He was always positive,” said Blaine Ashley, a former Aragon athlete from the class of 1999. “He always made you feel important. He was very supportive throughout his entire time. I always loved running for him and seeing him around and hearing his laugh. He was always positive.”
Daskarolis’ passion for running, coaching and helping his athletes improve made lasting impacts on everyone he came into contact with.
“When you think about track and field, when you think about coaching, you think about Dasko,” Pendergast said. “You think about that tan, and you think about those aviators. He’s just a part of the tapestry here. He really is.”
Daskarolis made a significant impact on the Aragon community and his legacy will be long lasting.
