All day long, I talk to my students about being a Chieftain Hero, and I see and hear how the DMS staff works hard to support our students to make great choices and to show them the true benefit of hard work.

Every day I am so thankful and appreciative for the staff I work with for all of the positive talks they have with kids and for modeling Chieftain Hero behavior. You know you work in an awesome school when not only your staff is this amazing, but your volunteers are as well.

Rob True is my Chieftain Hero for DMS. Rob is a Union High School graduate and for years has given back to our school system and community.

Rob began volunteer coaching AYSO soccer in 1999. In addition to coaching he was also an official for the soccer games.

Rob and his wife Nancy joined the Dowagiac Band Boosters several years ago and now run the organization, side-by-side, as Nancy is the boosters’ president. Not only does Rob help with all of the band fundraisers, but he also hauls all of the band equipment for competitions, festivals and parades.

In fact, Rob took time out of work this summer to grill hot dogs and hamburgers for our students while at band camp.

Three years ago, Rob started our DMS club soccer teams for sixth- through eighth-grade boys and girls. What Rob has done with our students and our soccer program is amazing. You can guarantee that after every DMS soccer game, no matter whether the team wins or loses, Rob is always posting on Facebook how proud he is of our players and acknowledges all of their hard work.

When I asked a handful of his players why they respected Coach True, their responses made me smile and appreciate him more than I had already.

“I like that Coach True never gave up on us and believed in us.”

“No matter if we won or lost he told us we always played our best.”

“He is a really good father figure to show us the way of soccer.”

“He has helped me improve so much.”

“Rob is a good coach because he is always there to support us.”

“I am glad I got to be with a man that cared about us so much.”

“He is one of the best coaches I’ve ever met.”

It is good to know that not only I believe that Rob True is a Chieftain Herp, but so do so many others as well.

Thank you, Rob True for your continued years of giving back to our community and our schools. You have a heart of gold and are truly appreciated by many.
Nicky Hulett

Assistant Principal, Dowagiac Middle School