E-Mail
Print
The basics: Brandon Dorman, 29, teaches math and coaches boys' water polo at Computech Middle School. He and his wife, Meagan, live in Fresno.
What he does: Nearly six years ago, a student in one of Dorman's geometry classes at McLane High expressed an interest in triathlon. Intrigued by the idea, Dorman got more of his students involved and formed Fresno's unlikeliest triathlon club. In 2009, Dorman founded Tri-This!, a nonprofit, and has since watched the club spread to six local schools. Members hold regular training sessions and compete at events throughout the year.
Why he does it: Dorman is driven to expose youth from low-income households to the sports of triathlon, running and cycling. "I get satisfaction in knowing the time I put into these kids is making a positive difference," he said. "That's how I get paid."
Details, details: The club's $20,000 operating budget, which has grown each year, comes from fundraisers, grants and donations. Travel, insurance and storage are the primary expenses. The club focuses on local events but travels to at least one out-of-town race each year. Members focus on triathlon in spring and summer, cyclocross in the fall and mountain biking in the summer. Bicycles are the most costly equipment. In 2008, the club owned five of them. Now they own more than 20, most of them high-quality mountain bikes, housed at a storage facility where Dorman does most of the maintenance. The Visalia native spends about 20 hours a week on Tri-This! and many more keeping tabs on current and former students. "Giving kids a challenge and watching them overcome that challenge is very powerful self-motivation," Dorman said. "A whole new world opens up for them."
What others say: "He's there for all his kids -- and they're all his kids. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him," parent Laura Wilson of Fresno said about Dorman. Her two kids are involved in the club.
