2 minute read
The Man of Steel: A SRVHS Icon
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By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident since 2010
Hans De Lannoy is the Man of Steel.....or at least that’s the way his colleagues see him. If you were to walk through the halls of San Ramon Valley High School today and mention the name Hans De Lannoy, you would find yourself igniting a social wild fire among alumni students and teachers alike singing his praises. A lifetime of passion for basketball and the lessons that come with it are just the tip of the iceberg when describing this inspiring instructor. In a career that spans over 40 years and stretches as far as Palo Alto it’s no wonder he is seen as so much more than just a coach.
Coach De Lannoy gets inducted into the San Ramon Valley High School Athletics Hall of Fame
Coach De Lannoy began his career at Churbberley High School in 1972, where he oversaw the Girls Varsity, Girls Junior Varsity and Boys Junior Varsity basketball teams all at once and in his first year. He would go on to coach the Varsity Boys basketball team and eventually make his way to Danville where from 1982-2014 he would rule the basketball court.......And the yoga mat? That’s right! For many years, Coach De Lannoy led hundreds of students in the artful wisdom of stretch and meditation. Making mindfulness cool, and helping students find their inner peace during a long stressful school day. In 1986 and 1987 he directed the SRVHS Boys-to-Back
EBAL Championship including a division one final four finish in 1987. He also brought the girls basketball team to its first ever NCS Championship in 2006, which was a very proud moment in SRVHS history. Coach De Lannoy has directed over 35 fundraisers and been the keynote speaker for 10 ceremonies. He was named Mr. San Ramon in 2002 and was honored with the Mason McDuffie Outstanding Teacher Award twice.
The Wolf pack sticks together!
Coach De Lannoy has been a man of many catchphrases. Using brief inspiring words before every game and at the end of any class so his students leave with a bounce in their step and a better sense of self. “I think my favorite is ‘Never give up’” and “It’s important to see yourself in a light of greatness.” Reminding kids that a positive attitude always goes a long way has been his unofficial motto.
That kind of positive reinforcement came in handy when Coach De Lannoy found himself fighting his biggest battle, and it wasn’t on the basketball court. Earlier this year he found himself unexpectedly battling cancer. However, in the eye of a hurricane of fear and uncertainty, he found comfort in the support of his former students. “I felt like I was going to battle with a giant army at my side.” The outpouring of love and support came flooding in via social media as Coach De Lannoy posted updates of his chemotherapy process through Facebook. It was officially announced in July of this year that his cancer was in remission and life would return to normal. With news like that, how could things possibly get any better?... They can! On October 3, 2019 he was honorably inducted into the San Ramon Valley Athletics Hall of Fame by his many close friends and The Alumni Association. It was a heartfelt ceremony that could only be described as “Incredible.” Here’s to many more years of inspiration with The Man of Steel.
Stephanie Seaberg has lived in the East Bay for the last 30 years, and is a SRVHS Alumni. Steph is a play-writer and director for Theater Performance Workshop, KAOS Camp, and Golden Oak Montessori. Steph lives for cooking, theater, photography, travel, and singing.
