(Story by Taylor Nichol, Beaver County Radio)

When Center Area School District and Monaca School District merged in 2010, both the Center Trojans and Monaca Indians worried about preservation of their sports cultures and traditions. Both schools earned ink in local sports history books for producing stellar high school, college, and professional athletes. In an area where pride in sports is prominent, no one wanted their fond memories to be forgotten.

Nine years have passed since the creation of Central Valley School District. However, many names from both Monaca and Center have stood the test of time. Monaca’s legendary Coach Dave Nichol is still a talking point not only in Beaver County sports, but in the WPIAL. Tonight, he will receive the ultimate honor at the hands of Central Valley School District. Nichol’s legacy will be permanently preserved as a landmark. The Central Valley Middle School Gym will become the “Coach Dave Nichol Gymnasium” in a special dedication ceremony.

What now serves as the Middle School Gym was formerly the Monaca High School Gym where Nichol coached the Boys basketball team for 30 years. In his three decade run coaching the Indians basketball team, they earned 475 wins, including the iconic 1982 WPIAL and State Class 1A Championships. Nichol also coached the Monaca baseball teams with a career record of 481 wins. As a two-sport coach, Nichol had 956 career wins at Monaca High School. Those involved in proposing the dedication concept felt there was no better way to honor Nichol than to name the place where he made history.

 

A committee comprised of seven people presented the idea in November 2018. The Central Valley School Board unanimously voted in favor of the dedication. The committee members are Dan Colville, Sam Cercone, Shawn McCreary, Joe O’Neill, Dennis Bloom, Donna Belcastro, and Brian Dolph.

Sam Cercone, who serves as the Central Valley Athletic Director, says he’s thrilled to be a part of the event. “Coach touched a lot of lives and made an impact in a lot of people’s lives. We’re going to make this a night that’s special for everyone involved.”

Notably, Nichol coached Monaca graduate Brad Davis who went on to play in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately, Davis cannot attend tonight due to commitments in his current announcing career with the Mavericks. However, he sends all his congratulations and well wishes to Coach Nichol. Davis appreciates Nichol’s role in mentoring him as a young man. Davis stated, “Coach Nichol impacted a lot of young people throughout his coaching career. His record in baseball and basketball, stands the test of time. He always was involved in the community, and he is a Monaca icon.”

Coach did not play around when it came to core values of hard work and dedication. Players knew that if they wanted to be on the team, they had to earn their spot on court. They also knew about Coach’s signature foot stomp and nicknames!

Brent Haller, a 1988 Monaca graduate, smiled as he remembered his playing days. “There were some amazing athletes that came out of Monaca back in the day because you had to put in full effort. Coach gave me the nickname ‘Mush’ that has stuck with me. It was inspired by the sports announcer Brent Musburger. Coach would yell, ‘Mush, what are you doing?!’ Then, the famous foot stomp!!!”

Jeff Mateer, a member of the 1982 State Championship team, was no stranger to the foot stomp either. He reminisced, “I can see and hear like it was yesterday: Coach was sitting on the bench because coaches had to sit back in the day. He would stomp his foot on the floor, and throw his towel to the ground, yelling ‘Mutsy, what are you doing?!!’ Coach could be very hard on you but with a purpose, as a kid you don’t always understand that. But as you grow older, I learned to value and appreciate what he demanded of me as a player and a young man. That coaching made a difference in my life as I became both a coach and father, just as he has for many many others like me here at Monaca, this is an honor he truly deserves!”

Todd Haller, an All-Conference Monaca point guard, will never forget his time on the court. “We had the upset over the then number one Rochy Rams!!! It was at the buzzer on their court!! Wow!! He was a great coach to play for on the hardwood, teaching us hustle, teamwork, and dedication. But he also groomed us to be the gentlemen that we are today. He was always instilling respect, discipline, and of course, importance of our appearance!” Haller laughed and added, “and a tribute to Coach Hulme, thanks for sneaking us a water break!”

Nichol became such a role model for many of his players that some even followed in his footsteps of coaching. Allen Vaccarelli, a former player, credits him for a lot of his coaching knowledge. “I played for Coach Nichol in both baseball and basketball from 1982-1986. I never realized how much I had learned from him until I began to coach several years later. Coach actually contacted me many years later and offered me my first coaching job. Soon as I showed up for my first middle school practice I realized that I was using the same style and techniques he had taught me. It was an honor playing for coach.”

Nichol’s involvement in the community went further than his coaching roles. He had a major hand in recreation and the deeply missed Monaca community pool! Beaver County Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Tom Hays spent many days at that pool with Nichol. “As far back as I can remember, Coach was always involved with the kids of Monaca. He definitely was “old school” but very fair. He also loved to give out nicknames and it seemed like everyone had one. He nicknamed my older brother Dick; ‘Skeeter’, so I became little Skeeter. More than his wins on the fields and courts, I remember Coach Dave Nichol as Mr. Monaca. He definitely bleeds red and blue. The impact he has had on so many kids in Monaca is amazing. He has earned the respect from all of us from Monaca. Whenever Dave would come to our Coaches Corner show, before every player left, they would always shake Coach’s hand before leaving. That shows the love and respect they had for Coach. I am so happy that the middle school gym will be named in his honor. One he truly deserves.”

Bob Barrickman, Sports Director and Play-by-Play Announcer for Beaver County Radio, has spent many years analyzing Beaver County sports. He believes that Nichol is one of a kind. “When you add up his victories in basketball and baseball, Dave Nichol won like no other coach in county history. Leading Monaca to the state championship in 1982 with no Division 1 players and no player over 6’2″ was a true testament to his coaching ability. Brad Davis played many years in the NBA and played under Nichol as a senior at Monaca. He is also very kind off the court and I greatly enjoy spending time with him at the Brad Davis Golf Outing. This is an honor very well deserved!”

The ceremony happens tonight at Central Valley Middle School in between the Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball Doubleheader against Hopewell. The Girls play at 6 pm and the ceremony will follow immediately after. The Boys team will play upon the completion of the ceremony. For game coverage, tune in 1230 WBVP tonight. Bob Barrickman and Tom Hays have the call. Pre-game coverage starts at 5:45 pm. You can also stream game audio online on the TribLive High School Sports Network.

This story was sponsored by Electric Garage Door Sales, Tatalovich Funeral Home, Whiskey Rhythm, Beaver Valley Sheet Metal, and Beaver Valley Auto Mall.