Former United States President Bill Clinton once said, “If you live long enough, you will make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you will be a better person. It’s how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit.”

For nearly a quarter century, Dave Schlabach has been patrolling the Lady Hawks bench as its head coach. In the 24 seasons he has been at the helm, Schlabach as led Hiland to four State championships, 19 straight Inter-Valley Conference and Sectional titles and 13 State tournament appearances, the most of any girls team in the state of Ohio.

He has learned how to handle adversity, has admittedly made his share of mistakes, and has learned from them.

And in that 24-year span, he has never quit working hard.

“It’s hard to believe it has been that long,” said Schlabach of his career, which has seen him accumulate a 506-82 career record. “There are times when it feels like it has just started. It doesn’t feel like 24 years.”

Schlabach’s career began in the 1991-1992 campaign, when he went 13-9 and began a series of District losses to Zanesville Rosecrans.

While most coaches would take a 13-9 campaign, that inaugural season was the worst record of Schlabach’s 24 years. Since then, there have been plenty of wins, including 14, 20-win seasons and a pair of perfect 28-0 seasons.

What has kept Schlabach going over the years has been his relentless work ethic and passion for the game.

He has asked much of his players, but never more than he demands of himself.

As Schlabach continues to rack up victories and titles, what has kept the game so fresh for him has been the new challenges which he and his teams face each year.

Every season is new personnel, new opponents and new tactics, so the game remains fresh despite the growing number of years.

“Finding those kids who really want to work at the game, to perfect their skills and learn, they are what keep things fresh,” said Schlabach.

“Working with that kind of kid is energizing to me. It isn’t a common thing today to see that kind of kid out there any more.

“As a coach, you want to do everything you can to help that kind of a kid thrive.”

Basketball has been such a big part of his life, that Schlabach has forfeited many other hobbies, like hunting, fishing and cars. “I’ve never done any of those things,” said Schlabach of the “normal” things guys invest their time in. “This has been my hobby. When I am done coaching, I am going to have to find a new hobby, because I don’t do anything else. I have to be honest, I am a little worried about that.”

Through it all, the most rewarding thing for Schlabach has been the relationship aspect of the program. “It’s watching kids turn into great leaders, seeing them handle adversity and watching the relationships that are made, that is what I think I will remember the most,” said Schlabach.

Schlabach said he wonders about the sacrifice which goes into coaching at such a high level of competition. He said his family has been amazingly supportive throughout all the years of sacrifice he has put into the program. He noted that they, too, have made plenty of sacrifices.

Fortunately, all three of his children, Brady, a junior on this year’s Hiland boys team, Kennedy, a freshman toiling for her father/coach this year for the Lady Hawks, and Gabby, a team manager who is a sixth-grader, all have a fervent passion for the game.

Schlabach has patiently awaited the time when he could coach his own daughters, and said he has sought the advice of plenty of coaches who have had their daughters play for them. “I want this to be a fun and exciting time for the girls,” said Schlabach.

Schlabach said that he will remain on board at Hiland until Gabby is through the program, meaning he will be around for 31 years of coaching.

“It will be another stage of my life,” said Schlabach. “Hopefully we can find someone out there in the next five years who is willing to commit to keeping the program rolling and is willing to put the time in. I’d love to see one of my former players come back and take over.”

Whether that happens or not is something that will take place far down the road, should things continue on the course Schlabach has mapped out.

Until then he will continue to enjoy the game he loves as he spreads his exuberance through the young women who are willing to invest in his program.