ROCKFORD, Mich. — Dino Baskovic's story with the Wolverine Worldwide Family YMCA in Belmont began when he and his wife registered their daughter to play soccer in 2013 after moving to Rockford.
What Baskovic was yet to realize was that it was going to become a journey for him as well.
"After a while, I came to realize that my daughter's coach, who was actually the sports director at the time, he really could use some help," said Baskovic. "I just like helped out with soccer like five hours a week. I still had a full-time job in marketing, and five hours turn into 10 hours, turn into like, like 20 hours very fast."
After taking on more responsibilities and beginning to teach classes as well, Baskovic accepted an offer to become their full-time sports director in 2018.
Now, he's hung up his whistle and passed the torch after a near 20-year battle with brain cancer. Baskovic said that cancer had probably been inside him longer. However, he was first diagnosed in 2008.
After being helped by chemo and radiation therapy for a year after his initial 2008 diagnosis, his cancer later returned in 2021.
"They got almost all that out," said Baskovic. "In the middle of the surgery, I had a stroke, an ischemic stroke on the operating table, which rendered my left side weak."
After continuing treatment and then undergoing physical and occupational therapy, Baskovic's recovery went well, and he continued serving as the YMCA's sports director.
"I did not want to give up the fight," said Baskovic.
He said his wife, Aimee, their daughters, family and his YMCA family kept him motivated through difficult circumstances.
"Sometimes, you know, you fight the good fight until you can't anymore," he said.
After symptoms began to worsen, imaging showed that his cancer had again returned, more aggressive, in December 2023. He was told by doctors to consider end-of-life options and hospice care.
"I was like 'what do you mean end of life?'" said Baskovic. "You know all these kids know me as Coach Dino, I have staff, I have people that like really rely on me."
"That was very tough to accept," he said. "I talked with a lot of family and it was just time to kind of shift the focus and start kind of winding down my life with as much dignity and love and care as I could."
Looking back at his and his family's life in Rockford, Baskovic said he is proud of the calling he found in the YMCA.
"It changed me," Baskovic said. "I was just like merrily bouncing around life, you know, going from work A to work B not really having much of a focus, and then I found it here, and I am so proud and grateful that I had this opportunity."
Baskovic said he has countless fond memories helping kids learn athleticism, sports and other subjects. However, he is most proud of the memories where the children, their parents and himself were able to learn how to be the best versions of themselves.
"I'm almost 50 years old, and after I finally found my, my purpose in life and my life's work, and now all that's been ripped away from me. That is the hardest part," said Baskovic. "But at the same time that presents me you know, if nothing else, an opportunity to say how can people learn from this time in my life? What can I impart on all these people in the community?"
Baskovic also said he looks back to see how his life had impacted so many.
"I feel very lucky that I can say goodbye to so many people in my life, on my terms, and that if nothing else, has been a blessing," he said.
When asked about what message he would like to give to members of his community, Baskovic wanted to encourage people to not be afraid about stopping what they are not fulfilled doing, and starting something new, drawing from his experience taking up his position at the YMCA.
"It may suddenly lead to this path of just sheer happiness and pure joy that you may never know otherwise," said Baskovic. "You owe it to yourself to find your happiness."
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