Dale Stopperan lives in Spokane, Washington but grew up in the rural community of Cresco, Iowa. His high school coaches were instrumental role models in Mr. Stopperan becoming a teacher, coach, and principal working in the public school system for thirty-seven years. Dale graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and received a master's degree from City University in Seattle, Washington. His experience as a middle school and high school wrestling coach provided a basis for the novel “Wrestling with Tradition.”