De La Salle Collegiate is proud to announce that Thaier Mukhtar, legendary Pilots varsity soccer coach and longtime DLS Social Studies teacher, has been named the honoree for the 2025 Christian Brothers’ Dinner. 

This prestigious community event – a longtime fundraising staple of De La Salle – is an excellent networking tool for businessmen throughout Macomb County and the Metro Detroit area. 

Next year’s Dinner – the 44th edition of the annual fundraiser – is set to take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Penna’s of Sterling.

“To get this honor, I think it’s a form of being recognized for what I’ve given back to the school,” Mukhtar said. “So, it means a ton to me, as far as that goes. I’m always the type of person that whatever I can do to help the school, I’m going to do it. I’m going to be that person who steps up and does extra, whatever it may be. For the committee that’s chosen me, I really appreciate they thought that much of me to put me up there.”

Mukhtar has been an exemplary faculty and staff member at De La Salle Collegiate for nearly three decades. He became an educator in the Social Studies department during the 1995-96 school year, and since then has become one of the most beloved teachers in the building. 

He has molded the hearts and minds of a countless number of DLS alumni, and is frequently referred to as the favorite teacher among Pilots students. 

On top of his immense impact as a teacher, he has successfully guided the Pilots soccer program during two separate stints at the helm (from 1983-2011 and from 2018-present). Over the course of those two tenures, he has made 12 trips to the Final Four (most recently last season), and has captured five state championships (1990, 1992, 1993, 2000, and 2005). 

He’s also the all-time winningest high school soccer coach in the state of Michigan, with 667 victories to his name. 

Mukhtar hopes that by being honored it will inspire alumni he’s coached and taught to give back to De La Salle, whether in time, talent, or treasure. 

“I hope it motivates alumni to come back and give the respect to the school that helped nurture them, molded them, disciplined them, spiritually motivated them to be the people that they are today, to be the fathers they are today, to be the husbands they are today, to be the successful members of our community they are today,” Mukhtar expressed. “To me, that’s the most important thing. I always tell my soccer players: ‘You think what I’m teaching you right now is soccer. What I’m teaching you is if you want something bad enough in life, you’ve got to go get it. Life is competition. Go get it.’”  

Advancement Director Greg Esler believes Mukhtar has long been deserving of the title of Christian Brothers’ Dinner honoree.

“I think there’s no question he’s the greatest coach in the history of De La Salle,” Esler said of Mukhtar. “For starters, he’s a proven winner. He’s won five state championships. That’s an incredible feat. He’s maintained excellence through all his years of coaching. In that respect, he’s been, in my opinion, the Nick Saban or Mike Krzyzewski of high school soccer coaches in the state of Michigan. And even with all that said, I think he’s a better person than coach. He, to me, is the definition of a great family man. We’ve been blessed to have him at De La Salle, and I believe he’s beyond deserving of this honor.” 
 
Mukhtar has instilled tremendous life values in the hundreds of young men he’s coached in his 30-plus years roaming the DLS sidelines. 

Additionally, most of these young men have carved out successful professional careers, plus have gone on to support the school in subsequent years. This long list of alumni includes Ben Aloia ‘90, of Aloia Law, Christian Brothers’ Dinner chairman Chris Fett ‘90, of Abbott, Jeff Fratarcangeli ‘91, of Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, and Anthony Rubino ‘01, of the Pilot Property Group.

These four alumni are among the many who have expressed that Mukhtar has had a profound impact on the hard-working, Lasallian men that they have become.

“Thaier, both as a teacher and a coach, has dedicated himself to making De La Salle students better people in the community,” Fett said. “Thaier will attest that he has coached some to the highest level, but his greatest accomplishments are the countless professionals that he has influenced as both an educator and a coach. His achievements off the field are far greater than those on the field. Thaier has influenced so many DLS students that have reached the highest levels of their profession. I, as a father, an alumnus, a husband, and former player can attest that faith, academic excellence, respect for individuals, accountability, and service are all vital components of his message. He embodies the Lasallian mission like so many other great Christian Brothers’ Dinner honorees, and that is the standard we hope all our young men strive to achieve.” 

Mukhtar has left an indelible mark – both inside and outside the classroom – on the school, and De La Salle will be forever grateful for it. 

Celebrate Mukhtar and his illustrious career at De La Salle at the 44th annual Christian Brothers' Dinner next May! You can buy tickets starting today by clicking here.

For more info on the Dinner and how you can get involved, please contact Chris Fett at chris.fett@abbott.com.