No one will ever take the place of Dick Katte, but
Denver Christian boys basketball is getting someone who knows the program almost as well as the iconic coach.
Ray Van Heukelem was hired Wednesday as the new coach of the Crusaders, who were in the market for a mentor for the first time in 48 years. That's because the 75-year-old Katte retired after this past season, which ended with a 26-0 record and his eighth state championship. Katte is the winningest coach in state history with a career record of 876-233.
Van Heukelem was on the bench for many of those victories, having served as an assistant to Katte for more than three decades. He has been the head boys basketball coach at Littleton for the past five seasons, but he still teaches at Denver Christian.
"I was an assistant for him for 32 years, and I didn't think he was ever going to retire, so that's why I left," Van Heukelem joked. "We kid each other about that all the time, but, seriously, this is something Dick and I have talked a lot about. I hope I can keep up the tradition and success he built."
Van Heukelem had his own success at Denver Christian, having guided the powerhouse boys and girls soccer teams for several years. He recently was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Colorado High School Coaches Association.
Despite his ties to the school, Van Heukelem said the decision was made somewhat difficult because he anticipated a successful season at Littleton next year. But, "I looked at my situation right now, and it was the right time," he said. "I figured at this point of my career, it's time to come home, so to speak. I'm very excited"
He knows expectations remain high for the program, but said there is one thing he won't be able to do.
"I can't be Dick Katte," he said. "But I will do the best I can, and hopefully it works out."
