Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards Athletic Award DaveClassSchlabaugh of 1980

Dave Schlabaugh ’80 has a strong passion for coaching basketball and has enjoyed success in a variety of coaching positions at both the high school and collegiate levels. His dedication, time and focus have led him to achieve all that he has so far. Dave is this year’s alumni athletic award recipient.

Dave is currently the head mens’ basketball coach at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon. He took over the program in 2017 and steadily elevated the program to consistent conference contenders. Dave enjoys the challenge of recruiting the best student-athletes to fit the Cornell culture, consistently building a culture that promotes both academic and athletic success and working to develop each athlete to be successful within the team framework. He enjoys working with and having an impact on each of his 28 players, which include both varsity and junior varsity players. During his first six years at Cornell College, the Rams earned the following honors:

* Their first Midwest Conference Title in 29 years (2021-22).

* Second most season wins in Cornell history (2021-22).

* Third team in 29 years to qualify for the NCAA DIII National Tournament.

* Several statistical records broken in the last two years, both by individual players and as a team.

Before moving to the Cornell position, Dave coached at Williamsburg High School for seven years in a very competitive WaMaC conference. He compiled a 106-60 record, going 24-3 his final season and finishing 4th in the state tournament. During his seven years at Williamsburg, his team won the WaMaC conference championship twice, and he was selected as coach of the year twice. Schlabaugh was also Class 3A District Coach of the Year in 2015.

Prior to coaching at Williamsburg, Dave had coaching stints at Mid-Prairie (assistant boys basketball coach 1984-88 & 200308, where he was recognized Iowa Basketball Coaches AssociationAssistant Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007), Iowa Lakes Community College (assistant coach 1988-90) and Morningside College (assistant coach 1990-96, and his 1995 team qualified for the Elite 8 in NCAA Division II).

Dave currently works with Snow Valley, a summer basketball camp, as a Camp Director. The camp runs for four weeks for both boys and girls in grades 6-12. Last summer the camp was attended by 1,550 campers.

He is also currently working with USA Basketball, and he has spoken at the USA Basketball Coaches Academy on three occasions in three different states. Dave has been a coach and speaker at the USA Basketball Gold Camp in Omaha, as well as a coach at a USA Basketball Camp in Houston. He enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding clinicians at these events and bring new ideas back to Cornell.

In reflecting on the influence of his high school experience, Dave remembers tremendous community support and an emphasis on athletic success while receiving a quality, well rounded education. He remembers the basketball culture that Cal Hickman had established. The most influential person and mentor for his basketball journey is Don Showalter ‘70. Whether it was through teaching, advising, observing or providing opportunities, Showalter has been an amazing friend, colleague and mentor. “I would not be where I am today without his influence and support.” Dave’s favorite quote is from John Woodin, “Just try to be the best you can be; never cease trying to be the best you can be. That’s in your power.”

Dave and his family currently live in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. His wife, Julie, works as a nurse. His oldest daughter, Lindsay, just received her PhD and works as a nurse practitioner. His son, Zach, played college basketball at Coe College and now works as an assistant on Dave’s staff at Cornell. His younger daughter, Carly, works as a traveling nurse. His youngest son, Gabe, worked with the team as manager last season. Dave has surely built a strong reputation over the years thanks to his hard work and dedication in the sport of basketball.