There are many cool – and wonderful – layers to all that is Dylan DeClerck, including a longstanding relationship with Rock Valley Physical Therapy.
- There is the ever-gifted and forever-modest all-league defensive star of the Minnesota Wind Chill of the Ultimate Frisbee Association – who at age 29 – is nearly a decade into a successful professional career. A member of a Wind Chill unit smack in the middle of its 2024 playoff run, DeClerck went after a UFA championship in a league that continues to gain popularity with every passing season.
- He is the tireless co-founder of Can Play, an amazing nonprofit in Greater Des Moines providing development and recreation programs to children and adults with financial, physical, cognitive, or emotional need. Can Play offers programs for all ages and ability levels, including adaptive recreational opportunities, fitness programs and team sports programs. A generational idea, Can Play erases a bevy of barriers providing the opportunity to all who simply want the exhilaration of competing to be part of their lives.
- At age 16, DeClerck, of Clive, Iowa, founded Opportunity on Deck, which would join forces with Melissa Clarke-Wharff’s Courage on the Court group in 2021 to form Can Play.
- There is the ultimate frisbee professional – selected – after a series of tryouts – represented Team USA at the 2024 World Flying Disc Federation’s World Ultimate Championships in Gold Coast, Australia, Aug. 31-Sept. 7. The ultra-athletic DeClerck is part of Team USA’s Mixed-Gender squad, bringing together the nation’s best men and best women players competing for an international championship.
- And then there is that first-time marathoner several years ago, who called on Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Sam Huey, PT, DPT, OCS, HSS Overhead Athlete Certified Physical Therapist/Clinic Manager/ Director of Professional Development, for injury-related help and training guidance. The relationship is one that has seen DeClerck continue to turn to Rock Valley for injuries, athletic training help and for support in his chase to represent his country.
“I was training for my first marathon, and I got injured and did not complete it,’’ DeClerck, who did his undergraduate work at Drake University and his post-graduate work at the University of Iowa, said of how he came to know Huey and Rock Valley Physical Therapy.
“His clinic was near where I lived. Then, in my second marathon attempt – which I completed – Sam had Dana Herrick (PT, DPT, world class triathlete and distance runner) help me with my training and she was amazing. Today, Sam and (PTA) Jaimee (Dupage), are great to work with. Rock Valley stepped in and helped me with the cost of making the trip to Australia. It is a great relationship, and I am grateful for it.’’
Humble to a fault, DeClerck was beyond excited about his chance at elite international competition.
“It was an honor to represent my community, Iowa, and the United States,’’ said DeClerck.
The World Flying Disc Federation’s World Ultimate Championships take place every four years and feature the top players worldwide in the Olympic-style sport. The event was canceled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“There was heightened excitement because there was no event four years ago,’’ said DeClerck, who was chosen from a group of more than 500 players to try out for Team USA. “You do not know how many chances you have when it comes to being part of something like this.”
Notified in April of 2024 he had made Team USA, DeClerck says it was a whirlwind, prepping for the international challenge as well as playing his regular professional schedule. All done while leading a successful – and impactful – nonprofit that continues to impact lives across the state of Iowa.
“As for time, you just make sure the lines of communication are open with everyone,” DeClerck said prior to making his way to the international event. “If you are going to be somewhere let everyone involved know where and when. And when something is in front of you, give it your full attention before you move on to something else.’’
Dylan DeClerck….A champion on multiple fronts.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller