Coach Heckard Announces Resignation

Coach Heckard Announces Resignation
Posted on 04/07/2021

David Heckard has announced his intention to resign from his position as Cumberland Valley High School’s head wrestling coach.  

It’s a decision that the 17-year head coach did not take lightly, and it’s one that is bittersweet.  

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities provided to me by Cumberland Valley High School. CV is a great place to coach with outstanding support,” said Heckard. “In my 17 years as the head wrestling coach, I have met a lot of outstanding parents, wrestlers, and coaches who have impacted and supported me along the way of which I am thankful.”  

During his tenure with CV, Heckard’s teams compiled an impressive 272-84 record, earning him the title of the school’s winningest wrestling coach. Under his leadership, his teams have also earned:  

  • 55 Sectional Champions  
  • 23 District III/Southcentral Regional Champions  
  • 62 PIAA State Qualifiers  
  • 28 PIAA State medalists  
  • 4 PIAA State Champions  
  • District III team tournament qualification in 16 of 17 seasons  
  • 5 District III Team Titles  
  • 3 District III Individual Team Titles  
  • PIAA Team tournament qualification in 14 of 17 seasons  
  • PIAA Team finishes- 2nd place (twice), 3rd place, 4th place 

CV Senior Jake Lucas, a 2021 PIAA State Wrestling Champion, said of his longtime coach, “I have been in the CV program for 12 years and Coach Heckard has made an impact on me not just in wrestling, but he has taught me life lessons. He is the main reason that I have progressed into the wrestler and person that I am today. The room will not be the same without him, but I have faith that we will find the best coach possible for the program.”  

Athletic Director Mike Craig echoes Lucas’s thoughts, saying that Heckard’s most noted trait is his ability to build relationships with his student-athletes.  

“Coach Heckard has been involved in wrestling his entire life, both as a wrestler and as a coach. He was a PIAA Champion at CV and has coached numerous outstanding wrestlers and championship teams at CV. But more importantly, Coach Heckard developed great relationships with his athletes, which at the end of the day, is what really matters. Any one of his former wrestlers could call him today and count on him for his help with anything in their lives. I just want to thank him and his family for their dedication to the CV Wrestling program.”  

In 1996, Heckard captured a state-championship wrestling title as a student at CV. That same year, he graduated from CV and attended Villanova University. Upon completion of his degree, he returned to Cumberland Valley to teach social studies. He also joined the wrestling program as an assistant coach, prior to taking over the helm 17 years ago.  

“I am extremely proud of where Cumberland Valley is at as a program. We have a dedicated group of parents and wrestlers who will make the transition very smooth for the next coach,” said Heckard. “I have learned a lot through my years as a coach, but what I have learned the most in the past few years is that family comes first. . . being a good person, a good son, a good father, and a good husband is really all that matters in the end. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way!”   

In the coming weeks, CV will begin the search for a new coach.  

 


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