Dan Del Porto becomes head basketball coach at Judge

Intermountain Catholic

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Dan Del Porto says he has big shoes to fill as he takes the head basketball coaching position.

SALT LAKE CITY — "I have big shoes to fill," said Dan Del Porto of his promotion to Judge Memorial head basketball coach.

Del Porto has been an assistant coach for 24 years under coach James Yerkovich, who decided to retire after 44 years. Del Porto, who grew up in Magna, played basketball for Yerkovich from 1983 until he graduated from Judge Memorial in 1985. He started as the freshman assistant coach in 1986.

"This is obviously a very bittersweet time for me," said Del Porto. "I would not have pursued the profession I did without the impact that Coach Yerkovich had on me. I feel very blessed to have had the experience I did with Coach. It’s meant a great deal to me. Regardless of the decades I have had as an assistant, I’m starting now as a rookie coach with all the expectations that come with that. It’s a big challenge, sure, but I’m ready to go."

Yerkovich said Del Porto and the other assistant coach, Marty Giovicchini made it possible for him to coach as long as he did, especially with the medical problems he had. "With the loyalty and hard work they have given me, no other coach could ever ask for more," he said. "Dan has been groomed for this position. He has not only coached the varsity, he has pretty much run our spring and summer programs for the last 15 years. I look for this to be a very smooth transition because he has done everything he needs to do, except take the pressure of being the head coach – which is large. But I feel totally confident that he will carry on and add to our program. The program will flourish, and more importantly, life philosophies will be similar to what he been part of through the years."

Del Porto started teaching at Judge Memorial as a physical education teacher and guidance counselor in 1995. From 1999 to 2009 he was the athletic director; this year he returned as a guidance counselor.

"If I had not been impacted so positively by Coach and his messages over the years, I would not be in this position," said Del Porto. "You hope to have good teams, good players and win; obviously, that is all important. But the other aspects and life values that basketball teaches you are most important. You have to get something out of basketball besides winning."

Del Porto and Yerkovich have a special bond. In December 1989, Del Porto contracted viral pneumonia and was hospitalized at Pioneer Valley Hospital. Yerkovich visited him every day. As Del Porto’s illness progressed into acute respiratory distress syndrome, Yerkovich convinced Del Porto’s parents to move him to LDS Hospital for better care.

The nurses asked Yerkovich to continue visiting Del Porto because he responded to the coach; even knocked out with drugs to help him recover, he could talk about basketball.

"I was in the hospital for 36 days, and even though Coach was in the middle of his season with one of the best teams ever, he came to see me every day. He kept my spirits up and gave me something to look forward to," said Del Porto. "He was a huge part of my recovery. It certainly adds to the closeness in our relationship."