'He's a Bulldog through and through'

SANDPOINT — Born and raised in Sandpoint, and certainly one of if not the top athletes the town ever produced, Dave DeMers went on to have a successful career as the head coach of the Bulldog track team for 27 years.

Citing an urge to spend more time with family and just feeling that the time was right, DeMers tendered his resignation as Sandpoint track coach last week. He lost count of how many regional championships his teams won over nearly three decades at the helm, and the top line of his résumé would surely include the 2003 boys state championship.

The biggest highlight for DeMers was the chance to coach his son Eric and daughter Brooke, each of whom followed his footsteps and competed in track and field at Boise State. With a grandchild now living in Sandpoint, DeMers felt the time was right to pass the baton to the next coach.

“I’m at a stage in life that I want to spend time with my family,” cited DeMers. “I have a really good young staff, the program is in good shape. I think there needs to be someone else with some passion, let them take it.”

DeMers, an agile and powerful 6-foot-4, 240 pound quarterback with a howitzer for a right arm, played two seasons of football at Boise State before tearing up his knee on the turf as a redshirt freshman, ending a promising football career in 1979. He went on to throw the javelin for three years for legendary Broncos track coach Ed Jacoby, establishing a school record and finishing third in the Big Sky Conference.

Sandpoint athletic director Kris Knowles, who was just down at the state track tournament in Boise, said it was amazing how many people asked about DeMers, and how many had a story, many lauding his athletic exploits. Lake City assistant coach Joe Partington, who has been coaching numerous sports in North Idaho for decades, says the 6-4, 240 pound DeMers is the best athlete he’s ever seen.

“When people talk about Sandpoint, the first person they ever talk about is Dave DeMers,” recalled Knowles. “People will go ‘you’re from Sandpoint, you know Dave, how’s he doing?’ He’s got a state reputation.”

DeMers wished to thank the Lake Pend Oreille School District for the opportunity to lead the community’s youth, and Sandpoint Middle School for being so flexible. In 27 years, he’s coached and led a lot of athletes, many of whom are on the coaching staff today.

“Instilling sportsmanship, I’m a stickler. This is the Sandpoint way, what we owe our community,” said DeMers of his coaching style. “Hopefully they’ve learned a lifelong lesson. What the kids do for the community has always driven me a little bit.”

When asked who the best male and female athletes he ever coached were, DeMers mentioned the accomplishments of David Lyon and Amy Dyck, but those weren’t the two he ultimately chose.

His choice for the top female was daughter Brooke, an understandable pick as he coached her to four regional high jump titles, along with hurdles and relays. He called her undersized, working extra hard to become a solid high school athlete.

“She brought leadership, sportsmanship, integrity. She was going to find a way to win,” described DeMers of his daughter. “She was bigger than her stature. I had fun and shared every bit of it with her.”

And the top male athlete, bearing in mind the litany of state champions and future Division 1 athletes over the years?

“Chad Childears, who finished second at state in the 400 meters,” answered DeMers, going back to the early portion of his career for the answer. “He was only 5-8, but he had more heart than any kid I think I’ve ever coached. The epitome of a Bulldog; undersized, undermanned, an amazing athlete.”

DeMers said he’ll miss the camaraderie amongst his own coaching staff, and also the fraternity with the Inland Empire League coaches, borne of long track meets with plenty of time to socialize.

“You see them, you know about their kids and their families,” he described. “There’s good friendships, you’re not sitting on opposite benches.”

The Bulldogs could look to promote a coach from within to succeed DeMers, who leaves some big shoes to fill.

“He has a gregarious personality, people just like to be around him. He’s a big figure, not just physically, but in the sports world,” described Knowles. “It’s a big loss. He’s a Bulldog through and through. It’s amazing how much pride he has in this high school.”