Dave Gassaway

My dad, Donn Gassaway, was the first head basketball coach at Madison when it opened in 1957.  I was chosen as the team mascot in 1958, so the spirit of Madison sports grabbed me early.  I was in grade school in 1969 and vicariously experienced the joy of the great Madison basketball and baseball teams, wandering the high school halls once per week when I practiced trumpet with the Madison band.  Vivid memories of watching the basketball team taking second in state in Memorial Coliseum, taking first in state in baseball and then winning the American Legion national baseball championship will never fade away.  The joy and excitement brought to the Madison community at that time was immense and unforgettable.

Bill Wiitala and Dad team-taught American History at Madison along with coaching duties.  They were good friends and expected us athletes to be responsible students first and foremost.  My junior year I alternated back and forth between their classroom divider, so there was no slacking on my studies.  Dad was my freshman football coach in which our team did well and had lots of fun.  I had Bill Wiitala as baseball coach my junior year.  Words barely describe the influence they had on me and so many others through the years.  Going to class was the top priority, practicing hard was expected, playing by the rules was the only path to winning and working through adversity was a given.  Both men were humble and talented individuals that provided steady guidance on being good people, good athletes and good community members.  I was very fortunate to be a part of Madison during that time.

A lasting memory that I had after my high school days was returning to watch my brother Bill throw a pitching gem in a state playoff game and hitting a homerun out of Walker Stadium, a “poke” to say the least. I was sitting with my Oregon State baseball coach, Jack Riley, who was recruiting Bill.  And my little brother delivered.  Well done “bro.”

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