2024 Jimmy Dunn High School Coach of the Year
Dave Aronberg
As a coach in any sport, he or she makes decisions that affect game situations that have an impact on the results of the game on the field.
Dave Aronberg’s philosophy and integrity of the game has vast implications that far exceed the game on the field. Decisions are sometime hard to make and not everyone agrees, but Dave’s commitment is held to the highest degree.
Cutting or suspending players, that may jeopardize a season, is not what a coach has in mind at the beginning of the season. In 2023, Dave’s Ladue Rams found themselves with the possibility of no season. Forfeiting games and hints of cancelling their remaining games, Dave and the team worked through these challenges to make the Missouri State finals, only to lose 0-2. 2024, with a revived attitude provided by coaches and players, the Ladue Rams won the Class 3 State Championship.
There are life lessons that have far higher meaning than winning or losing, that makes Dave Aronberg a perfect example of why this award was initiated by the Dunn Family.
PREVIOUS HONOREES: 2024 Mark Geising 2023. 2022, 2021 and 2020 no honoree due to covid 19 2019 Chris Kenny 2018 Brian Haddock 2017 “Buzz” Demling 2016 Patrick Turner, 2015 Tim Cashel; 2014 Jeff Robben, 2013 Dan Bokern, 2012 Dick Westbrook, 2011 Bill Daues, 2010 Greg Koeller, 2009 Al Trost , 2008 Tim Walters , 2007 Joe Morgan, 2006 John Mohrmann, 2005 Charlie Martel, 2004 Dave Thurmer, 2003 Maureen McVey, 2002 Dan Hogan, 2001 Chris Werstein, 2000 Ray Beckman, 1999 Ray Stahl , 1998 Mike Gauvain, 1997 Dave Robben, 1996 Vince Nowack, 1995 Glen Mehrhoff, 1994 Nate Wolf, 1993 Tom Holmes, 1992 Greg Vitello, 1991 Terry Michler, 1990 Vince Drake, 1989 Gene Baker, 1988 Mike Villa.
THE HISTORY OF THE JIMMY DUNN AWARD
The Jimmy Dunn Award was originated in 1988 by his son, Edward, to honor his father who was Captain of the Ben Miller Team of 1920 which won the National Open Cup Championship. Jimmy scored the winning goal against Fore River Massachusetts, a team of Portuguese Professionals, to win the game 2-1.
Edward Dunn started playing Soccer at St. Luke’s parish in Richmond Heights in the late 30’s. He learned the game from his father, the great Jimmy Dunn. During his years at CBC High School and Saint Louis University he played baseball and football. Soccer was not available at this time at these schools.
Edward started his coaching career at Saint Louis University High in 1955. He remained there for 38 years, leading the Junior Bills to State titles in 1973 and 1990, and reached the Final 4 many times. He retired after the 1993 season with a record of 592 wins, 197 losses and 104 ties. At that time, he was known as the Coach to have the most wins in the country. Some of the prominent players he coached were Pat McBride and Ty Keough, both All Americans at SLU and Pro Soccer players.
Edward received the Msgr. Jimmy Johnston Award in 1986, the CYC Golden Boot Award in 1995 and was inducted into the CBC Hall of Fame, National Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996 and St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 1994.
Edward developed cancer around the year 2000 and he succumbed to the disease on January 10th, 2002. He was 73 years old.
It was the wishes of the Dunn Family that this award be given to a coach the exemplifies the true nature and meaning of sportsmanship and character. It is not necessarily wins and losses, but the impact that a coach has on his team and school.
It is given to a different coach each year. No coach can win the award twice.