SAN ANGELO, Texas — For 41 years, David Hague has been teaching and coaching student athletes to be the best they can be - on land and in the pool. After deciding to put up the swim goggles to end a stellar career, Hague received one of the most prestigious accolades for a coach at his level - national coach of the year.
The National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) named Hague the National High School Boys' Swimming Coach of the Year. Hague is the first coach from the state of Texas to win the award.
The coach's career trophy case includes 33 combined district championships, two regional championships, 43 combined District Coach of the Year awards and eight combined Regional Coach of the Year selections. Hague was also the Texas Class 6A State Boys' Coach of the Year in 2016.
Hague has helped the Bobcats win nine consecutive District 2-6A titles.
"We are extremely pleased to honor Coach Hague," Eric Hess, NHSCA executive director, said. "He has established San Angelo Central as one of the consistent swim programs in Texas. He exhibits a strong dedication to supporting and developing his high school student-athletes in the classroom and outside of it."
The coach leads by example for his student athletes because Hague still swims competitively in U.S. Masters Swimming. The Central High coach consistently ranked in the top 10 in his age group and has set several Masters National and Masters World records in individual events and relay events. Hague was the 2014 recipient of the Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA) Theron Pickle Lifetime Achievement Award.
From the character and moral building Hague has instilled in his student athletes, to the example he leads in his community, the swim coach will be missed by the students and community as he goes out on top.
