Remembering Coach David Paschall

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Coach David Paschall passed away on November 18, 2024. Coach Paschall served the school for more than 30 years as athletic director, adviser, member of the history department faculty, and coach of the football, basketball and baseball teams. It was estimated that Coach Paschall coached over 1500 football and basketball games during his 36-year tenure at St. Stephen’s. 

 

Coach Paschall, along with his wife Sandra and their two boys, Justin '89 and Hunter '92, were also members of the residential community on campus.

 

“When you truly understand all the things Coach has done for our school and the wisdom he has attained, you quickly realize that you are not equals,” remarked Athletic Director Jon McCain while speaking during Coach Paschall’s retirement ceremony in 2009. “I think of Coach as a second father and I know that others in my department feel the same way.”

 

Coach Paschall attended high school in Tennessee where he was a stand out athlete in three sports and valedictorian of his senior class. He later attended Sewanee, the University of the South, as a student-athlete where he not only became a three-sport letter winner but was also an outstanding student who graduated cum laude.

 

St. Stephen’s hired Coach Paschall in 1973 as the athletic director and he held that position for 28 years. For multiple consecutive years, Coach Paschall was the head coach of football, basketball and the baseball programs.  

 

In the spring of 1994, the David Paschall Award was created to recognize outstanding accomplishments of St. Stephen’s students in academics and athletics. To be eligible for the award, a student must earn a Varsity letter during each term and maintain honor roll status during the fall and winter terms. 

 

In 1998, Coach Paschall won the St. Stephen’s Teacher of the Year Award for Excellence in the classroom.

 

“Coach Paschall was more than just a coach in every sense as he was a teacher, mentor and a great friend to so many Spartans. He challenged us on The Hill (“son, you could be studying”) and the fields and court, made us better competitors, and most importantly better people with lots of laughs along the way.” said Jonathan Quander '89, Spartan Alumni Association board member and former board trustee.

 

Coach Paschall’s lasting legacy is marked in the school’s Clayton Gymnasium. On May 15, 2014, the St. Stephen’s community gathered to unveil and dedicate the newly refinished gym floor as the David Paschall Court, bearing Paschall’s name and signature. The court stands as a reminder of his tremendous dedication to our school.

 

“To many outside of our community, Coach Paschall is St. Stephen’s. Our reputation in Athletics is without question, built on the back of his hard work and good humor. He touched so many lives of adults and students alike at the school,” said McCain.