Former BC Athlete Returns From Military To Coach Boys Basketball
By: Dylan Jennings
Writer
Writer
Bolser Poses With His M4 Carbine
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Former Athlete of the Year Daniel Bolser
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Buhach Colony has been home to a numerous amount of student athletes. Of these athletes, there has always been an Athlete of the Year. A good majority of these athletes who receive this prestigious award continue on to college to compete at the next level. Daniel Bolser is one exception as he decided to do his civic duty and enlist in the military to protect our nation. Why would someone who had the ability to compete in sports at the next level decide to make such a life-changing choice? Well, let’s find out.
In 2010 Daniel Bolser graduated from Buhach Colony and received the honorable Athlete of the Year award. He was a three sport athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. During his high school career he received first team all CCC (Central California Conference) and made the all area team for baseball his junior year. In addition to this, he made third team all league for basketball and second team all league for baseball his senior year. Bolser was a man who set an example for everybody else. “Daniel Bolser is a rare person, because he was one of the toughest kids I ever coached. He never missed a workout and always put forth his best effort,” stated former Buhach Colony head varsity football coach Kevin Swartwood. Bolser is a man who any coach would dream to have on their team.
Bolser’s best attribute and one that he feels is important in any endeavor is the ability to always work hard no matter what situation you are in. Bolser says, “If you show up everyday and bust your butt, good things will happen.” This is something that Bolser has carried with him throughout his life as he has worked hard when it has come to schooling, sports, and the military. This attribute is one that definitely would have allowed him to succeed at the college level. Unfortunately, a few incidents lead to him not wanting to compete at the college level. When he was a sophomore, his father was involved in a car accident. Although his father did not pass away, this led to Bolser not receiving the guidance that was essential in his young life. In addition to this, he had some medical brain problems his senior year. With the combination of the medical problems and not having the guidance he needed, he talked himself out of playing college sports. “I kind of psyched myself out. After not really having someone to tell me that I’m going to be ok and to keep going, I kind of just accepted medical defeat,” he says about the events that happened.
About halfway through 2012, Bolser decided that he wanted to serve his country. “When I talked to my recruiter, I heard the term ranger and the high standard that it holds and I wanted to really challenge myself,” he says. Bolser joined the second Ranger Battalion of the 75th regiment and was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. The Ranger Battalion is a unit of the army that is held in high prestige and is the premier raid unit. This unit goes on direct action raids in order to get high value targets or assets. Bolser says, “It’s a hard unit to get into and it’s even harder to stay in.” Bolser has always wanted to make himself better and to challenge himself. He felt that the Ranger Battalion could do just that. The training for this unit was rigorous. He spent 8 months in Georgia. This time consisted of basic training for infantrymen, airborne school, and RASP 1 (ranger assessment selection program). One of the most challenging experiences Bolser has faced was going through RASP 1. This was a week-long process that consisted of training in land navigation, battle drills, and weapons knowledge. However, the conditions in which the training had to be completed were rigorous. There was 95% humidity in 95 degree weather. “In my five days out there I got about seven hours of sleep,” states Bolser. The one main thing that he learned in the military is to be humble. He believes that this is one trait the military has instilled in him to be a better person. Bolser prevailed through these challenges and became the ranger/person he is today.
When asked if he wished that he had played college sports, Bolser responded, “There’s a part of me that still wishes that I would have done so. I still think that I could have played baseball or basketball at the next level.” Swartwood also believes that Bolser could have played at the next level, “Daniel would have fit in at many universities, because he had the grades and the ability.” This doesn’t mean that Bolser is disappointed with where he is at this point of his life. He enjoys the time he spends in the military and enjoys the comradery that he has with his “brothers.” Not only that, but he is still a part of sports as currently he is an assistant coach for the Buhach Colony varsity basketball team. The men’s basketball varsity head coach Shane Gentry says, “I knew about his structured background and I knew he had basketball experience, so I felt that he could help our team.” Bolser would recommend the military to anyone with the mental and physical toughness. However, he believes that you shouldn’t give up on your dreams. “I would say to chase those wild dreams that you have, because the only person that is really going to stop you is yourself. Never be afraid and if you are afraid then attack it. There’s nothing in life that will truly slow you down. You’d be surprised what you can do,” he says. Even after so many years Bolser still is an inspiration to the people he meets.
In 2010 Daniel Bolser graduated from Buhach Colony and received the honorable Athlete of the Year award. He was a three sport athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. During his high school career he received first team all CCC (Central California Conference) and made the all area team for baseball his junior year. In addition to this, he made third team all league for basketball and second team all league for baseball his senior year. Bolser was a man who set an example for everybody else. “Daniel Bolser is a rare person, because he was one of the toughest kids I ever coached. He never missed a workout and always put forth his best effort,” stated former Buhach Colony head varsity football coach Kevin Swartwood. Bolser is a man who any coach would dream to have on their team.
Bolser’s best attribute and one that he feels is important in any endeavor is the ability to always work hard no matter what situation you are in. Bolser says, “If you show up everyday and bust your butt, good things will happen.” This is something that Bolser has carried with him throughout his life as he has worked hard when it has come to schooling, sports, and the military. This attribute is one that definitely would have allowed him to succeed at the college level. Unfortunately, a few incidents lead to him not wanting to compete at the college level. When he was a sophomore, his father was involved in a car accident. Although his father did not pass away, this led to Bolser not receiving the guidance that was essential in his young life. In addition to this, he had some medical brain problems his senior year. With the combination of the medical problems and not having the guidance he needed, he talked himself out of playing college sports. “I kind of psyched myself out. After not really having someone to tell me that I’m going to be ok and to keep going, I kind of just accepted medical defeat,” he says about the events that happened.
About halfway through 2012, Bolser decided that he wanted to serve his country. “When I talked to my recruiter, I heard the term ranger and the high standard that it holds and I wanted to really challenge myself,” he says. Bolser joined the second Ranger Battalion of the 75th regiment and was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. The Ranger Battalion is a unit of the army that is held in high prestige and is the premier raid unit. This unit goes on direct action raids in order to get high value targets or assets. Bolser says, “It’s a hard unit to get into and it’s even harder to stay in.” Bolser has always wanted to make himself better and to challenge himself. He felt that the Ranger Battalion could do just that. The training for this unit was rigorous. He spent 8 months in Georgia. This time consisted of basic training for infantrymen, airborne school, and RASP 1 (ranger assessment selection program). One of the most challenging experiences Bolser has faced was going through RASP 1. This was a week-long process that consisted of training in land navigation, battle drills, and weapons knowledge. However, the conditions in which the training had to be completed were rigorous. There was 95% humidity in 95 degree weather. “In my five days out there I got about seven hours of sleep,” states Bolser. The one main thing that he learned in the military is to be humble. He believes that this is one trait the military has instilled in him to be a better person. Bolser prevailed through these challenges and became the ranger/person he is today.
When asked if he wished that he had played college sports, Bolser responded, “There’s a part of me that still wishes that I would have done so. I still think that I could have played baseball or basketball at the next level.” Swartwood also believes that Bolser could have played at the next level, “Daniel would have fit in at many universities, because he had the grades and the ability.” This doesn’t mean that Bolser is disappointed with where he is at this point of his life. He enjoys the time he spends in the military and enjoys the comradery that he has with his “brothers.” Not only that, but he is still a part of sports as currently he is an assistant coach for the Buhach Colony varsity basketball team. The men’s basketball varsity head coach Shane Gentry says, “I knew about his structured background and I knew he had basketball experience, so I felt that he could help our team.” Bolser would recommend the military to anyone with the mental and physical toughness. However, he believes that you shouldn’t give up on your dreams. “I would say to chase those wild dreams that you have, because the only person that is really going to stop you is yourself. Never be afraid and if you are afraid then attack it. There’s nothing in life that will truly slow you down. You’d be surprised what you can do,” he says. Even after so many years Bolser still is an inspiration to the people he meets.