Dave Demmerle

Dave Demmerle

  • Induction Year:
    2000
  • Sport(s):
    Head Coach

David "Dave" Demmerle was inducted into the Baldwin Wallace University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. He passed away on February 9, 2006 at aged 71 after a long battle with cancer.

Demmerle was an outstanding teacher, coach, administrator and leader at BW. His induction into the BW Athletic Hall of Fame marked his third HOF honor, including the Lyndhurst Brush High School and Muskingum College hall of fame.

A native of South Euclid, Ohio, Demmerle he graduated from Brush H.S. and Muskingum, where he majored in physical education and excelled in both football and track. He was drafted into the Army and stationed uin Germany, where he coached football and played the clarinet in the Army band.

Following his discharge from the Army, he taught and coached at Shaker Heights H.S. and returned to BW In 1962. He retired from full-time teaching and coaching at BW in 1998. Demmele spent 36 years on the football staff of BW legends Lee Tressel and Bob Packard and on the track staffs of legends Paul "Sparky" Adams and Bill Taraschke.

"Dave expected his students, his players and his colleagues to achieve excellence and to perform to the best of their ability. He lived that commitment each day of his life," said BW President Mark Collier in 2006. "And for more than four decades, he enriched so many of us in the Baldwin Wallace community.

"Many alumni have mentioned the trials and tribulations of his gymnastics class, but quickly would add that he would not ask his students to do anything he could not do," added Collier. 

Known for being an outstanding teacher and disciplinarian, Demmerle coached the offensive line to perfection on the gridiron and the jumpers and vaulters in track.

"As a highly respected coach in football and track, Demmerle demanded hard work, sought perfection, expected self-discipline and insisted on teamwork," said the late Bob Packard. "I'm sure that many of his offensive linemen can visulaize him, standing erect with his hands on his hips, a slight scowl on his face exhorting to his players 'men that wasn't good. We'll stay here all night until we get it right."

During his 36 years as a football and coach at BW, Demmerle helped the Yellow Jackets to capture nine OAC titles, earn five NCAA Division III Playoff berths and capture the 1978 NCAA Division III title. As a coach in track and field, Demmerle helped BW win nine OAC indoor and 10 OAC outdoor titles with a number of those teams finishing in the Top-20 at the NCAA Div. III National Indoor or Outdoor Championship Meet.