BASKETBALLER PASSES AWAY

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Dave Colbert, John Marshall High School coach dies unexpectedly
By Mark Puente, The Plain Dealer
December 04, 2009, 10:29PM

CLEVELAND, OHIO-- Dave Colbert's passion for basketball took him from the playgrounds of Cleveland to Australia and Israel, and finally back to coach at his alma mater, John Marshall High School.

The 47-year-old father died unexpectedly while driving on Superior Avenue Friday afternoon -- hours before high school basketball teams across the state would tip off this year's season. An autopsy will be conducted today, his mother said.

Colbert worked as a substitute teacher and had been an assistant coach at John Marshall for several years before being named the head coach about three years ago.

When his players were bought together after school and told of his death, they fell silent. Administrators expected the players to go home. A short time later, cheering could be heard on the basketball court.

"Coach would have wanted us to practice today," the players told an assistant principal.

Principal Rhonda Saegert said Colbert's death shocked the John Marshall family. She said he inspired excellence from his players on the court, but more importantly in the classroom.

Someone else will coach the team, but will not be able to replace Colbert, she added.

"Dave had a special quality to interact with kids," Saegert said. "The kids responded to him. His legacy will continue."

Leonard Jackson, director of athletics for Cleveland schools, agreed.

"He was an outstanding man and coach," he said. "He loved his kids. He was a role model."

After graduating from John Marshall, he attended Cleveland State University and the University of Dayton, where he graduated from inn 1986. He helped UD land bids in the NCAA Tournament and in the National Invitational Tournament.

He averaged 17.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game and received the team's Most Valuable Player trophy each season, according to the school's Web site. The Boston Celtics drafted Colbert in 1986, but he ended up playing professionally overseas.

John Marshall will play its first game Tuesday against Maple Heights. Saegert said she will let the team decide how they want to honor Colbert.

Geraldine Flowers said her son picked up a basketball as a child and never put it down. He played on pro teams in Israel and Australia. She fought back tears when talking about him. He is survived by a 20-year-old son.

"He loved helping people," she said. "I was so proud of him. He always wanted to do the best he could."


RIP DAVE