Dave Close, owner of over 500 wins on the sidelines of the high school basketball world, went from the driveways of Stow as a youth to the sideline of Stow High where he has spent a lifetime impacting lives. Coaching his Stow teams to two Final Fours, national rankings and numerous regional appearance would seem to be his claim to fame. But, it's not. A faith-filled, caring man, Close considered being a minister before his college coach Paul Patterson at Taylor University steered him toward the ministry of coaching. A commitment to forming young boys into men ensued, and Close is one of the best at mixing love of players with accountability and rigor. Often misunderstood perhaps or even stereotyped as "old-school," Close has adapted and changed in more ways than most contemporary coaches: offensive systems, practices, drills, communication, game management and defensive schemes. But one thing has never changed--his relentless pursuit of excellence, his will to never give anything but his best to his players, and his strong faith and family oriented love of Stow basketball and its many players past and present. We are lucky that we have seen his evolution and excellence in the greater Akron area. Thank you Coach Close for evening the evening with us!