It was a class act all the way on Sunday, January 16, in New Martinsville. Not long ago Magnolia’s long time baseball and football coach Dave Cisar announced his retirement, creating a feeling of disbelief among many of his ex-players and fellow coaches. Following Coach Cisar’s decision, city councilman Steve Pallisco came up with the idea of doing something special for coach and doing it right. The city council met in special session and it was decided to honor the only baseball coach most of the community has ever known. What a special day it was! Hats off to the city of New Martinsville and the Wetzel County Museum for making it happen.

The event was held at the historic Lincoln Theatre in downtown New Martinsville with several of his ex-assistants and players speaking. It was a great day. With his family present, and many friends and fans in attendance, coach Cisar listened as coaches and friends one by one took to the podium to pay a lasting tribute of fun and praise to this coaching great of Magnolia High School.

It was also fitting that he be inducted into the Wetzel County Hall of Fame for his accompishments as a teacher, coach and friend to all. A nearly two hour ceremony full of memories was enjoyed by all. One gentleman who played both sports for coach Cisar said, “what a great man, can you imagine how many lives he’s touched? we may never see another one like him, but he will live on as a legend on the Magnolia sports scene.”

I think most everone that knows Dave Cisar feels that way. His coaching speaks for itself. To do something for nearly 50 years shows how much he cared about his school, players and family. Whether he won or lost he always did his best and he instilled that same work ethic in all of his athletes.

The Wetzel Chronicle covered sports teams coached by Dave for all those years. We had the pleasure of interviewing him, quoting him, watching him in action and following his teams. I have not been told of one instance where he didn’t take the time to talk with reporters following a game, win, lose or draw. And to top it off he was always professional and showed us respect.

So we at the local paper salute you coach Cisar and wish you the absolute best in the rest of your journey through life. Keep the faith and never change, you are one of a kind!

One of the speakers at coach Cisar’s tribute and Hall of Fame induction, was his longtime friend and coaching rival Bob Montgomery from John Marshall high school. Montgomery was also a childhood friend of Cisar’s, and his roommate in college at West Liberty. Bob is somewhat of a legend himself when it comes to longtivity, not only was he John Marshall’s baseball coach for 43 years, where he won 28 sectional titles, five regional titles, eight OVAC titles and one state title, he has also endured the hardwood floor for nearly 50 years and has refereed over 5,000 high school basketball games and a state record 40 state tournament games. Besides refereeing, he also makes his way to New Martinsville nearly every Tuesday for lunch and donates to the ACTS Mission church on Main Street.

I recently asked him how much longer he plans on running up and down the hardwood, and he responded like I thought he would. “As long as I can.” Again it’s a lot like coach Cisar, you have to love what you’re doing! Montgomery ended his coaching at J.M. with 870 wins and 370 losses, second in the OVAC where he is a Hall of Famer. On Friday Coach Montgomery will be officially inducted into the West Virginia Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Congratualtions to coach Montgomery on another well deserved honor.

Today’s coaches seem to come and go, not really caring where they land as long as ‘They’ are in a successful program. I see it differently, I think to be a success you have to earn it, and most of the time it comes from years and years of hard work. To be a great referee or coach or whatever you want, you will never get there if it’s handed to you. You have to dedicate yourself to your work. Surround yourself with good people and stay until the job is finished.

I am no coach and never wanted to be. I did coach T-Ball, little league, grasshopper basketball and junior high ball, and I enjoyed it. However, there is a lot of pressure in the world of sports and high school may have the most. A coach told me you have to block everything out and concentrate on teaching to be a good coach. Plus you have to learn along the way. I also think you have to love kids and be able to treat them all equally.

I watched several high school basketball games the past few weeks and if I good give any of the coaches advice it would be to teach the proper way to shoot free throws. It is an art, and will definitely win you some ball games. One missed free throw can often turn into a four point difference in a ball game. Do that a few times and it’s not just 5 or 6 missed free throws, it’s missed free throws plus conversion on the other end that quickly puts a game out of reach.

In case you haven’t noticed, several of the ball games scheduled for last week were cancelled or postponed do to the nasty weather. We’re hoping things get back on track as we approach the last month or so of winter sports. Let’s hope things go well and warmer weather makes a grand comeback for soon to be track, baseball and softball.

A couple thoughts for everyone, chances are you’ve experienced some toxic emotions, anger, frustration, fear, guilt, bitterness, resentment, and sadness. Don’t let those things negatively impact you.

Anger leads you to do or say things you’ll regret later. Frustration causes you to consider giving up. Fear holds you back. Guilt makes you ashamed about what you’ve done. Bitterness and resentment cause you to feel sick both mentally and physically. Sadness can be all consuming.The good news is you don’t have to suffer with negative emotions. Let go of it all and surround youself with positive people. And there’s no better person than a positive coach! Good luck to all.