A house built on sand would not withstand a violent storm. The foundation is not stable enough. The house and all that is in it would collapse.

For the past five seasons, former Ashland University women’s soccer head coach Danny Krispinsky has been rebuilding a once decrepit soccer program.

He has garnered over 58 wins and has brought the Eagles to five straight GLIAC tournament appearances, four of those led to a berth in the semifinals.

In March he would be scheduled to play an opponent he has met once before: cancer.

Krispinsky had a previous test against cancer in 2015 and he was able to beat it temporarily. This time it has come back and spread to his brain causing a greater toll on his body.

“It’s not the actual treatment that is too bad, but the effects and the symptoms, those are tough.” Krispinsky said.

Krispinsky underwent 15 straight days of radiation and is still recovering from the symptoms. In the past, he was able to continue coaching but limited himself throughout the season.

However, this past July Krispinsky found himself unable to withstand the force of the storm, it lead to him stepping down as head coach on July 20.

“The main thing was that this time around, when it went to the brain, I started to really experience the effects physically,” Krispinsky said.

Krispinsky said that the symptoms involve burn marks on the skin, face, and head. As a way to make the treatment easier Krispinsky cut off all of his hair and getting used to that was difficult for him.

He has remained in good spirits throughout his recovery because like the soccer program he built from the ground, he has faith built on bedrock.

“Thankfully, we have strong faiths and news like this has come frequently but we still trust and believe that God has a plan for us,” Krispinsky said. “We’re staying strong in our faith and that’s really been the thing that has held us together and been able to get us through this point in the journey.”

Krispinsky is a native of Ashland and his family’s close proximity has been a huge support system for him since he has received the news.

“I’ve been really fortunate that they’re nearby and I can rely on them at any time,” Krispinsky said.

He has also received support from the Ashland community as a whole. Krispinsky said that he has had phone calls, text messages, emails, visits and meals from supporters hoping to provide alleviation and comfort.

The Ashland University Athletic Department has also shown support to him through this process, Krispinsky said.

Upon stepping down, Athletic Director Al King sought out his recommendation for candidates to run the program this season and his first recommendation was Taylor Clark. Clarke’s coaching career began at Ashland University in 2014 when he served as a graduate assistant.

He spent the 2016 season as the assistant men’s soccer coach for the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a Division I program. He helped the Seahawks reach the top 20 of nationally ranked teams while managing recruiting and assisting in all aspects of the program.

Last season, he served as an assistant coach for the Calvin (Mich.) college men’s soccer team. While there he helped orchestrate a 21-1-1 win season for the Knights that included a berth into the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen.

Clarke was on vacation overseas with friends when he was contacted about the opportunity to step in as the interim head coach for Ashland, but he did not hesitate to assume the role.

”It was a bit of a whirlwind because I was away from everything, but it was something that I didn’t really have to think twice about,” Clarke said.

Clarke said Ashland University is special to him because it is where he started his coaching career and there are players on the current roster he coached and helped recruit during his initial stent for the Eagles.

As a graduate assistant in his second year under Krispinsky, Clarke was asked to step in on four occasions while Krispinsky received treatment for his initial bout against cancer.

Clarke also was asked to step in as head coach at Calvin University for a couple of games when head coach Ryan Souders briefly stepped away from the team to attend his brother’s wedding and the birth of his first child.

“It’s kind of weird, but it’s kind of an experience I’ve had before so being able to step in here I felt comfortable. Even though I’ve never been a full-time head coach before this, I’ve been in a head coaching role at times,” Clarke said.

As an assistant in the past Clarke has aimed to be as involved and hands on as possible so that if an opportunity would present itself, he would be ready.

“Something that I’ve always tried