The right words, when thoughtfully strung together, can inspire, motivate and bring purpose to a charge that otherwise may never care to suit up on game day. If words matter, as these have for so many who’ve donned the Athens Drive uniform, it’s the man behind the words, and his heart, that matter more.

Athens Drive Baseball Coach Dave Randall Ebert (‘83-‘91) is the man, and his heart is the reason we gathered yesterday to honor his tenure. His dedication to Athens Drive High School spanned well beyond the field of dreams he diligently cultivated, but it was his teams of sand lot players he seemed to care about most and we knew it.

“Coach E” was a mentor, teacher, friend and could lay down tough love that hurt at times, but deep in our core, we knew he cared as if we were his own blood. Like a good father, he demonstrated his love through his actions. He spent countless hours, most unbeknownst to his players, building the foundation necessary to not only create a quality program, but to create quality young men. We left his well manicured diamond better ball players than when we entered, but more importantly, we left better people.

Along the way, I met a man who’s sole purpose in life was not the numbers on the scoreboard, but more a man who’s scoreboard was numbered with the boys he sharpened into men, men who still care enough to stand by his side thirty years after his last round of infield.

– Steve Wade on Coach Dave Ebert

I’ll save the rest for a book someday, one which would require a thousand pages to hold the stories, memories, and lessons learned between the dugouts. As fish tales grow larger with time, often based in little truth, my memories of Athens Drive baseball are steeped in honest tales of hard work, earned success, and a purpose to achieve beyond what I thought I could muster.

Thanks Coach! Job well done!