Giving back to Central Area track community helps daughter through grief

Asha Dean has her late father's cellphone number now, and many people in this community respected Fred Dean so much that they can't bear to erase his name from their address books. So when Asha makes a call, sometimes it causes shock.

Sally Revere, the Lakeside School cross-country and track coach, experienced it when a runner picked up her ringing phone and declared, "It's a Fred Dean calling for you!" To everyone who knew the affable, remarkable man, it often feels like Fred is still here, coaching, encouraging, cracking jokes.

Because of Asha, a part of him is.

Two years ago, Asha did a very crazy — very loving — thing. She quit a college coaching job and returned to Seattle to take over her father's youth track program. After Fred died, she made the decision without hesitation. It just felt right. Daddy's little girl needed to be Daddy's little successor.

Fred, a former Washington wide receiver who became a successful accountant, led the South Central Athletic Association track program for nearly 20 years. The SCAA has a proud tradition that includes a pair of former Rainier Beach High School athletes — world-class hurdler Ginny Powell and NBA star Nate Robinson. But it's about more than name-dropping. The SCAA has helped many kids find the focus and discipline to succeed in life, which is why so many former athletes return to volunteer.

Asha, who never thought she would come home, couldn't let that tradition slide. So she synchronized her dreams with those of the man she used to call six or seven times a day.

"It's not so much the long talks that you miss," Asha, 29, said. "It's when something good happens. It's when you see something on TV and the one person I would call to laugh with or say, 'Did you see that?' is gone. I can't call."

She can coach, however. In his honor. Using his fun-loving style. With the help of many SCAA alumni, the program is doing well again. The transition hasn't been easy, but it has been fruitful. And this week, four of the kids will be competing at the USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Greensboro, N.C.

A 1,600-meter relay of 9- and 10-year-olds is participating. They are: Asante Seraile, Dominique Gates, Bryce Summers and Myles Klinger. Overall, the program has about 60 athletes.

"You'll come to practice with a million things on your mind, and you'll be frustrated," says Asha, a Lakeside graduate who won two state titles in high school. "But when you're on the track, your blood pressure lowers. Nothing can penetrate your happiness. You're with them."

Her bold decision has been worth it. Asha was the women's cross-country and track coach at the University of Great Falls in Montana, an NAIA school. A year earlier, she had been hired to start the program from scratch, and she enjoyed a good first season. In February 2007, Fred, 55, died of a heart attack.

Her priorities immediately changed. She moved back here with no job, but now works as a recreation-center manager. Asha has always been into community involvement, so giving back has been the greatest thrill.

"I know Fred would be so proud of her," said her mother, Josie Dean.

Revere, one of Asha's best friends, calls her a "driving force." Asha helps her friend coach the Lakeside team. Revere describes Asha's coaching style as energetic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Recently, after Lakeside sophomore Madeline Rathbun broke her school record in the 800 meters, Asha erupted with joy after Rathbun finished.

"It's great to have her back," Revere says.

The mourning process will continue, however. Coach Fred was Coach Asha's best friend. Her younger sister, Courtney, lives in New York, so it's been good for Josie to have Asha back in town.

"We have our up days and our down days, but not at the same time," Josie said. "The pain has gotten better with time, but it's still hard."

A piece of Fred Dean's livelihood still exists, however. You see it in Asha's passion for coaching. You hear it in the articulate manner she talks about her family, a charming group of achievers. You feel it in the kindhearted way she deals with people.

"It's tough sometimes," Asha admitted. "It's not all fun and games. When I'm having trouble figuring out something, wondering what my dad would do, I tell my mom, 'I think he's laughing at me right now.' "

Usually, though, he's laughing with her. Daddy's little successor has proved to be a quick learner.

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com, Twitter: @Jerry_Brewer