Class of 2006

Dave Ball

Hillsboro

David Ball graduated from Effingham High School in 1959. He then attended Missouri State University where he earned his Bachelors in Education in 1963. He then attended Eastern Illinois University where he earned his Masters Degree. Neither Effingham H.S. nor Missouri State University had wrestling programs.

In 1963, Dave began teaching in Chaffee School District in Chaffee, Missouri. He taught Physical Education., World History and coached football, 7th & 8th grade basketball, and high school boy's track. He moved to Effingham to teach and coach from 1964 through 1968. In 1968 Dave began teaching at Hillsboro High School. While teaching at Hillsboro High School in 1970, Dave helped Dr. Wayne Schurter start Hillsboro's first wrestling program. He became Hillsboro's Head Wrestling Coach in 1977. During the seventeen years he headed the Hillsboro program, Dave produced fifty-four state qualifiers, including ten medalists and two State Champions. His teams also advanced to the dual meet state series five times, finishing fourth four times. He had a career dual meet record of 283-77-10.

Dave also was the head football coach at Hillsboro for twenty-six years. His teams advanced to the playoffs five times and he had a career record of 117-119-11. Dave was the inaugural coach for the West Central Illinois All Star Football game. Durin his teaching tenure at Hillsboro, Dave taught Physical Education and World History and coached basketball, golf, and girls track. Dave was a member of the I.H.S.A. Wrestling Advisory Board from 1991-1994. He was named Wrestling Coach of the Year by Central Illinois Newspapers Area six times. In 1992, Dave was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

Dave Ball is currently retired from coaching and serves his community working for the Regional Office of Education for Montgomery and Christian Counties. 2006 I.W.C.O.A. Hall of Fame Inductees.