SUNDAY, APRIL 13,2003
An athlete’s life touches others
By CHRIS DONAHUE
Staff Writer

Students and athletes at Delaware Valley Regional High School who never met Daniel R. Hutchins will one-day benefit from his life.
Hutchins, who lived in Holland Township, was a standout wrestler and honors student when he died in a car accident in Warren County St June. He was 18.
Relatives and friends seeking to honor his brief life have created the first Daniel R. Hutchins Memorial Golf Outing.
The 144 tournament slots, which cost $125 each, were filled in three weeks. But about 80 seats remain for the post-tournament dinner Aug.18 at Woodland Hills in Hellertown, Pa. Some corporate sponsors have pledged to donate money, but more are welcome, said Hutchins’ father, Don. A sponsor may pay $150 for tees, for example or donate merchandise for door prizes. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Delaware Valley Wrestling Foundation and a memorial fund for two college scholarships. Don Hutchins helped start the organization for young wrestlers five years ago. Scholarship candidates will be nominated by the coach of each sport at Delaware Valley, with Don Hutchins and his wife, Jeanine, selecting the recipient. Factors such as character, academics and need will be considered. A great deal of it will be based on character and leadership,” Mr. Hutchins said. “That will be a big part of it, because Dan had a lot of character and was a good person. That will carry the most weight. “We want to benefit others, and at the same time keep his memory alive. And Dan was very happy with the scholarships he had received. We know the impact they have on kids who are graduating.” Daniel Hutchins, who, wrestled for 13 years, was preparing to attend Rutgers University and had received funds for an academic scholarship. He was Delaware Valley’s all-time leader in wins with 109 and finished sixth in the state tournament as a senior. J.D. Stem and Curt Krazer, friends of the Hutchins’s through Delaware Valley wrestling, helped organize the golf tournament with help from Daniel Hutchins’ uncle and godfather, Ed Kulik of Alexandria. “We know Danny’s not hem,” Kulik said. “But we want his name to carry on and help the community. We feel it can bring better things to the upcoming kids.”