Dave Bruney Football Complex christened

MARTINS FERRY — It was not your normal football bonfire.

Far from it.

Rather, Friday night marked the ascension of Dave Bruney into his rightful place – Purple Rider legend.

The veteran and ultra-successful Martins Ferry football head coach has long been synonymous with Purple Riders’ football. Now the home of the highly respected Purple grid program will forever be known as “The Dave Bruney Football Complex.”

It is a most fitting tribute for a most special man.

The richly deserved dedication climaxed the annual spirit parade and bonfire on the eve of another meeting with ancient-rival Bellaire. Bruney was kept in the dark about his special night, but it was attended by a throng of well-wishers, fans, former players and the community in general.

“I had no inkling or any idea about this,” Bruney said. “This is not about me; it’s about our community. I am very humbled, honored and proud.”

Fellow Ferry grid great Larry Duck emceed the affair. The OVAC Hall of Famer was well stocked with some staggering stats, spanning Dave’s 40 years as a Purple Rider (33 as coach).

Duck said that in 86 years of Martins Ferry football, the Riders have played host to 440 home games. The former Memphis State grid standout noted that Bruney has been involved in 220 of those games as either a player or coach. Moreover, 2,200 seniors have finished their careers at Purple Rider Stadium. Of that number, Bruney has coached or been teammates with more than 1,200 of those young men.

Bruney takes a 235-112 record at the helm of Martins Ferry into today’s game at Nelson Field. The Riders have already clinched a post-season berth and with a win against Bellaire will capture the OVAC 3-A crown.

He spent one year at Bridgeport, prior to coming home, leading the Bulldogs to a 9-1 record.

“Dave is the classiest and most dedicated individual I have ever been associated with,” Duck offered. “He is the essence of a Purple Rider.”

Duck praised Bruney for his tireless and passionate efforts to improve the facilities at his alma mater.

“Ferry had facilities worse than some Third World nations when Dave came back to coach,” Duck said. “We have went from worst to first on his watch with a new field house, new locker rooms and new turf.”

Dirk Fitch is currently the Martins Ferry schools superintendent and a long-time offensive coordinator for Bruney.

“Coach Bruney is Purple Rider football. He is as excited about football today as he was when I first played in the OVAC All Star Game in 1979,” Fitch said.

“Coach Dave is genuinely concerned about each player and their future. It has been my pleasure to work with Dave and I am glad he stayed around long enough to coach my son, Jack.”

Dorothy Powell is both the Martins Ferry Board of Education president and the executive director of the city’s chamber of commerce. She has worked closely with Coach Bruney for years.

“I think the world of Coach Dave. He has been such an asset to our school district, community and athletic programs,” Powell said. “When he retires he will be so hard to replace because he has so much pride in our students, academics, athletics and city. Coach Dave is the ideal all-around person.

“He has done so much good for so many athletes,” Powell added. “Coach Dave has taken many troubled kids under his wing and helped them through their high school careers. I am very excited about tonight’s dedication in his honor.”

Martins Ferry Athletic Director Kim Appolloni was one of the driving forces in the celebration. She has worked with Coach Dave for 18 years.

“What coach Dave has meant to Martins Ferry transcends the football field. He has been the ultimate role model for the youth of Martins Ferry,” Appolloni stated. “When you just mention the name “Coach Dave” around the Ohio Valley everyone knows who you are talking about. To be able to call him a mentor is just an understatement; to be able to call him a friend is priceless.

“The measure of a man is what he leaves for the future. Dave has raised three outstanding children who are all going to make a difference, and he has molded countless others that can all point to him in some way for their growth and development,” she continued. “When he came the facilities were some of the worst in the valley and he has given a lifetime to make sure kids like my son and the future Purple Riders have the best. We can never thank him enough.”

Martins Ferry businessman Bob Zilai is a close friend and comrade of Bruney.

“I had Dave as a student in 1968 and I later coached with him. Dave and I are close friends,” Zilai offered. “I have been here through thin and good times in football, and I could tell as student that Dave was a hard worker and character individual.

“It’s hard to put into words what Dave means to the program. He cannot be replaced,” Zilai said. “Dave has been the heart and soul of the program for years. But it is much more than just football. He has made a positive difference in his players’ lives.”

Dennis Swearingen, Bruney’s first quarterback at Ferry and another OVAC Hall of Famer, traveled back home to take part in the festivities.

“I am not surprised at the honor of naming Purple Rider Stadium after Coach Dave Bruney. He spent 33 years of endless heart, sweat and tears of teaching and coaching hundreds of student-athletes,” Swearingen said. “I have always cherished my relationship with him.”

Martins Ferry attorney Keith Sommer was one of the architects of Friday night’s ceremony. The former Bowling Green gridder teamed with another former Ferry standout, Chad Brinker, to get the ball rolling.

“I was driving to Columbus several months ago and received a call from Chad. He broached the idea at that time. It was fitting to have Chad help start it as he is one of the best running backs in school history,” Sommer said.

“Coach Dave’s winning record starts in the off-season. He has his players totally committed to physical conditioning,” Sommer said. “Dave’s players always show major improvement from their freshman to senior seasons. He takes them to the next level.”

John Magistro knows Dave as well as anyone outside his immediate family.

Magistro, who enjoyed unparalleled success guiding Bellaire High grid fortunes for 20 plus years before turning Westerville Central into a program of note, had kind words about the Purple icon.

“Dave Bruney is a true Purple Rider. His love and devotion not only to Martins Ferry football, but to the school and the community, is exemplified every day in his life and has been carried on his entire life,” Magistro noted. “I am very proud to call Dave my friend. The time we coached together and against one another in a very proud rivalry, will be something I cherish for the rest of my life. What an outstanding tribute to an outstanding coach.”

Monroe Central’s Jay Circosta realized his own milestone Friday night, reaching the coveted 300-win plateau in a blowout win against Buckeye Trail. Circosta still found time to recognize Bruney.

“That’s a great honor for him. Dave has done a tremendous job at Martins Ferry and he’s one of those old timers like myself and Coach (Reno) Saccoccia,”Circosta said. “He deserves it. He’s put a lot of time in.”

Bruney, a member of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, was generous with praise on a night where he was the focus.

“I am honored to be in the presence of two of my boyhood heroes, Larry Duck and Vic Rose. My brother Bill and I would play football every Saturday morning after watching Ferry play and we would battle on who would be Larry and who would be Vic. They are two men I still have great admiration and respect for.

“I have to thank my family. My wife and kids sacrificed a great deal along the way. I would not be here tonight if not for them,” Bruney added. “The administrations and school boards I have worked for have been very supportive.”

“The only thing I would have wished for tonight is that my parents could have shared in this,” Bruney said. “We were fortunate to be raised by parents, grandparents and great-grandparents who showed us the way and who instilled us the right values to become successful.”

Dave, 60, and his wife Cheryl have three children: Zac, Trevor and Ashley. All three were Purple Rider athletic standouts and are excelling in their respective vocations.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com