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York Suburban looks to replace successful coach


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For the first time in more than three decades, York Suburban is searching for a new head track coach. The move comes on the heels of the retirement of longtime teacher and coach Dave Wickenheiser.

Wickenheiser served as the head coach at York Suburban for the last 31 years, and he worked as an assistant coach with the program three years before that. 

The York Suburban School Board approved Wickenheiser's retirement at the end of the 2016-17 school year in January. Wickenheiser, a high school math teacher, spent his entire 35-year teaching career with York Suburban. 

"I will dearly, dearly miss it, but it was time to try something different," Wickenheiser said about his decision to retire. "I know I could have returned as a coach, but stepping away would be better for the long-term success of the program."  

Wickenheiser didn't want to be a "part-timer," noting how "advantageous" he found it to teach and coach some of the same students. 

"I'll tell you, he just has this great personality that translates across all demographics," York Suburban athletic director Matt Marshall said. "It seemed like every single kid took to him.

"I think that's part of the reason we had the participation numbers we did."

Wickenheiser saw the program expand from 11 girls and 20 boys in his first season, to more than 70 girls and more than 50 boys this season. 

He built one of the most respected programs in York County. The Trojans consistently competed for YAIAA division championships, including a five-year stretch from 1997-2001 when his boys' teams won five consecutive Division II titles and didn't lose a dual meet. 

Suburban track continued it success in recent years with the girls' team winning division titles in 2014 and 2012 and the boys' team winning division championships in 2013 and 2012.  

During his tenure the track teams have combined to win more than 20 division titles. 

Yet, Marshall always saw a "humble" coach willing to work behind the scenes to help his teams succeed.

Wickenheiser expects to remain close to the sport, and he plans to work as a PIAA track official. He leaves a program with a veteran and talented coaching staff, including girls' cross country head coach Dan VanHouwe — who has served as an assistant track coach for more than a decade. 

York Suburban will look to bring in candidates and fill the head coaching position in the coming weeks and months, Marshall said.  

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