Double D’s Moeller Journey

Dan Dever has built a long career at Archbishop Moeller High School mentoring students and building community within the school. He is known as “Double D.” Over the years he has served in several roles, including working in campus/pastoral ministry, where he helped organize retreats, service opportunities, and other programs that support the school’s Catholic Marianist mission. He later became the Dean of Trinity House, a leadership role within Moeller’s house system that focuses on guiding students academically and socially. Dever has also been involved with Moeller athletics, including serving as a freshman and junior varsity football coach, which allows him to connect with students through sports and teamwork. He was a wide receiver for Xavier University way back in the day. Now he teaches physical education, where his teaching style focuses on making the class enjoyable. He encourages students to stay active, have fun, and treat each other with respect. He starts every class with a prayer about getting the most out of every day because he always talks about how every day is a gift from God and we can either use it for good or waste it. He says, “It’s not about how talented you are, because there is someone always more talented; it’s about what you do with your talents." His PE classes are all about helping students build friendships while enjoying being active. During the current school year, Dever’s popularity among students has grown even more because of his role promoting school spirit, especially through helping lead and organize the Cavalry student section at Moeller athletic events. He constantly encourages students to attend games, organizes themes, and helps create a loud, energetic environment that supports Moeller teams. Through this role he has developed a particularly strong relationship with the senior class, especially the cavalry, often reminding them how meaningful their final year of high school is. Dever described "memories that have been made this year, like the St. X games, will last a lifetime for the senior guys.” He frequently tells seniors that the memories they are making of going to games with their friends, cheering for their teams, and representing their school are experiences they will last a lifetime. Dever often shares stories about how he still keeps in touch with and gets together with his own high school classmates from the Class of 1967 at St. Joseph High School, explaining how the friendships and memories from those years stayed with him long after graduation. Dever explains, "High school is where you meet friends that become family.” By sharing those experiences, he encourages Moeller students to appreciate the friendships they have now and to fully enjoy their time together before they graduate.