West Liberty University Athletics

    A standout player and coach during his time on the hilltop, Dr. Dave Waples went on to enjoy an outstanding 46-year career in collegiate athletics as a teacher, coach and administrator.
    Honored as West Liberty's 1962-63 Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a senior, Waples also made his mark as a coach in several sports. He posted a sparkling 43-13 (.768) mark in two seasons as head baseball coach, after leading the Black and Gold to a conference title and earning WVIAC Coach of the Year honors in 1969.
    Using the hilltop as a launching pad, Waples was associated with 13 universities during his career. That included six NCAA Division I institutions in Texas and Louisiana while serving as the only Commissioner of the now-defunct Gulf Star Conference.
    Other coaching stints sent him to the University of New Mexico, West Virginia University and Valdosta State (Ga.) University before beginning an impressive 23-year run as Athletic Director at Kennesaw State (Ga.) University.
    Waples oversaw Kennesaw State's successful transition from NAIA affiliation to NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I status before his retirement in 2010. He and his wife, Mary, reside in Kennesaw. Their immediate family includes daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Bobby Myrick along with granddaughters Lauren and Sarah.