For nearly a quarter of a century, Dan Drivon served the community through his involvement with the Philomath Youth Activities Club.
“He set up, maintained and repaired every electronic that we’ve ever owned,” PYAC Executive Director Eddie Van Vlack said.
Gallery: PYAC Annual Fund Dinner (Dec. 1, 2023)
A collection of photos from the Philomath Youth Activities Club Annual Fund Dinner on Dec. 1 at Oregon State University.
Drivon died last year at age 66 but his spirit attracted the spotlight at the youth organization’s Annual Fund Dinner Dec. 1 at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center on the Oregon State University campus,
The longtime volunteer was honored with PYAC’s 2023 Promise Builder Award.
“When volunteering at the clubhouse, he treated every child like they were his child, always making sure that they were heard and empowered,” Van Vlack said. “Dan always wanted to bring out the best in everyone — he understood the power of connections and the power of relationships.”
Van Vlack read a short biography on the honoree, who was born prematurely with cerebral palsy in California in 1955 and in the following years underwent several surgeries at the Shriners’ hospital in San Francisco.
“Even from a very young age, Dan never viewed his condition as a disability but rather as an opportunity and motivation to improve what it is that he could and not what he couldn’t do,” Van Vlack said.
Drivon moved with his family to Oregon in 1972 and four years later, he started a job at HP Inc., where he would stay until his retirement in 2009. He and his wife, Kathy, had two children — Brandon and Julie. In 1987, the Drivons moved to Philomath.
Drivon’s own story with his physical challenges served as an opportunity to teach young people one of the most important lessons, Van Vlack said.
“It’s not what happens to you in this life that matters, but rather how you respond to what happens to you,” he said.
Drivon passed away on Oct. 4, 2022.
“He leaves behind a family, a legacy of helping anyway that he could,” Van Vlack said. “Our organization, our community and our world is a better place because of Dan Drivon.”
Leading into the presentation, Van Vlack said the actions of PYAC volunteers serve as the hallmark of an organization “rooted in the belief that a small group of dedicated individuals can make a positive difference in the lives of our youth.”
The Promise Builder Award dates back to 2009 when Kim Howard was the first to receive the honor. Drivon is the 12th person or organization to be recognized.
“A promise builder is a person or business that best exemplifies an unwavering desire to make a positive difference in the lives of the youth in our community,” Van Vlack said.
Kevin Boss takes stage
Philomath High graduate and former NFL tight end Kevin Boss served as the event’s guest speaker. Boss was drafted in 2007 out of Western Oregon by the New York Giants in the fifth round.
During his rookie season, Boss moved into the starting lineup and won a Super Bowl ring in New York’s 17-14 over New England. Boss had a memorable catch that picked up 45 yards and helped set up a TD pass.
Boss played six seasons in the NFL — the first four in New York before stops in Oakland and Kansas City.
PHS boys basketball coach Blake Ecker, who is a member of the PYAC board of directors, served as the program’s master of ceremonies. A friend of the Boss family, Ecker shared a few personal stories and introduced the evening’s featured speaker.
“I feel like every time I come home and get the opportunity to do something like this, my heart is just bursting with pride to be able to be a part of this special community,” Boss said.
Boss shared a few stories from his time at Philomath and stressed the importance of youth sports.
“A program like PYAC exists for the kid who needed a sport, needed a positive coach, needed a positive mentor, role model,” Boss said.
Boss owns and serves as the head athletic trainer at Boss Sports Performance in Bend.
“Since retiring from the NFL in 2013, I’ve really dedicated my life to youth sports,” he said. “And the reason that I’ve committed basically a second career to youth sports is because I know the incredible impact that sports played on my life and continues to play on my life.”
The father of four children, Boss not only has the gym, but stays busy as a volunteer coach.
“The reason that I have kept volunteering to coach is because I know how massively important the role of a good positive coach can be and what that does for a young kid’s life,” Boss said.
Boss said he had two supportive parents growing up but also credited youth sports for the heights he was able to reach.
“I really don’t think I would be in this position with this platform if it weren’t for sports and a couple of coaches who believed in me before I really believed in myself,” he said.
Boss mentioned impacts from Philomath coaches Troy Muir and Chris Sexton.
“If it weren’t for Coach Muir and Coach Sexton inserting themselves in my life and showing up for me at a time when I really needed it, then I really don’t know where my life would have taken me,” Boss said. “But I’m pretty confident that it would have looked a lot different.”
Boss also talked about interactions he had with former coach Jay Faxon.
“Coach Faxon believed in me before I ever even believed in myself,” Boss said. “And really that’s all it took and the rest is history in terms of my football career.”
