Ex-Norfolk Academy AD, coach Trickler dies at 77
Longtime Norfolk Academy athletic director and basketball coach Dave Trickler died last week.
Trickler, who was 77, coached the Bulldogs’ basketball team for 35 years between 1966 and 2001, leading them to 573 wins and state championships in 1985 and 1992.
He served as Norfolk Academy’s athletic director from 1979 to 2001, taught world history, was the school’s field day chairman and was chairman of the board of the Norfolk Academy Sports Camp.
“He was a master communicator, fun-loving and a friend to all,” Norfolk Academy athletic director Chad Byler said. “Even though he was 5-foot-6, he was a giant in a room with a big personality.”
Norfolk Academy field hockey coach Mary Werkheiser came to the school in 1989 and remembers how Trickler spoke with each young coach and, as was in his nature, coached them, too.
“Dave would always take the young coaches around and see how they were doing in the transition. With me, he felt like he had his work cut out for h i m,” Werkheiser said, laughing. “He told me, ‘You’re too nice, you gotta get hard sometimes and make the kids toe the line,’ in my beginning days, so I learned a lot from him.
“I think as far as managing how to be great with the kids and how to earn their respect and demand excellence, I learned from him.”
Trickler’s coaching also showcased h u mi l i t y, Werkheiser said.
“I think about his incredible basketball teams he produced. Everybody respected him,” Werkheiser said. “He was the most ego-less person I’ve ever met. Dave was always about the kids. He had no ego and he had no stake in the game whatsoever. He was genuinely interested in each person.”
Before joining Norfolk Academy, Trickler was an all-state point guard at Prince George High while playing quarterback and shortstop for the football and baseball teams, respectively.
He continued his basketball career at HampdenSydney College, where he was a four-year starter before graduating in 1965. He also played baseball and was an All-Mason-Dixon Conference selection.
He joined Norfolk Academy soon after and never left.
“He was the life of Norfolk Academy,” Werkheiser said.
Ray Nimmo, 757-446-2364, ray.nimmo@pilotonline.com