LAKE VIEW, Iowa (KTIV) -
The East Sac County volleyball team is ranked 12th in the Class 3A rankings, but that's not why they're our Sports Fource Champions. The Raiders have rallied around their long-time coach Dave Waggie, who's fighting a long-term illness.
For seniors on the East Sac County volleyball team, Waggie is not only their coach, but a mentor they can dig.
"He doesn't yell, he doesn't get mad, We also get senior trivia, he'll text us a question and we have to figure them out and if we don't there is a consequence. Sarcasm is one of his weapons as well."
Another weapon Waggie presents..perseverance. The long time head coach and science teacher was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2002.
"One of my former students said 'I'm going to walk like Mr. Waggie and walk without swinging my arms'. I had to sit down and think about that and I have a science background and I knew that wasn't natural," said Waggie.
The veteran coach decided to keep plugging away, overcoming the setback.
"I'm dealing with it fine. I can do everything that I normally have always done, sometimes it just takes me a little longer."
Something that isn't slowing down is the number in his win column. Recently, Waggie picked up his 500th career win...not a surprise to those around him.
"I think his knowledge of the game and his ability to relate to the kids is really a driving force behind his success here," said East Sac County Principal Kevin Litterer.
That success serves up five straight conference championships, but to the coach it's more then just volleyball.
"It's about respecting each other, it's about academics," said Jayne Wilhelm, an East Sac County parent. "He strives to make sure they meet all-academic honor roll."
"He just makes us be a team, I think we're more of a family then a team," say the East Sac seniors.
The Raiders held their third annual "Gray Out" night, raising money for Parkinson's Disease by cooking burgers, having a raffle, selling t-shirts and even auctioning off the players.
Over $2,300 dollars was donated and also every t-shirt was sold 30 minutes before the match even started. It's safe to say this school loves their head coach. With it being an emotional night, there was no way the Raiders could lose.
When it was all said and done, thousands of dollars were raised and another there was another victory for the coach. East Sac County beat Newell-Fonda on Tuesday night, 3 sets to 1.
East Sac County volleyball coach Dave Waggie recently celebrated his 500th win.
