Dave Fuhrman has enjoyed the ride at Bradford High.

Whether it was the 1994-95 unbeaten season (24-0) or his most
recent 22-3 campaign, Fuhrman has always had a passion for the
game.

Fuhrman, who resigned earlier this week, led the Owls to 11
District 9 basketball championships (9 Class AAA, 2 Class
AAAA).

In an interview Wednesday, Fuhrman was at ease with his decision
to end a 20-plus year coaching career at the school.

It was a dream of Fuhrman’s when he took over the program to win
a state championship. Though that goal eluded the 53-year-old, he
left an indelible mark on the program.

“Our program has gained a lot of respect across the state during
the least 20 years because of the success we had in the state
playoffs,” he said. “For a rural town to have that kind of success
is a credit to the kids.

“It was my dream to win a state championship. It’s everyone’s
dream. We got close a couple times.”

Fuhrman credits former assistant coach Mike Manning with helping
build the program.

“Mike was with me for 15 years,” Fuhrman remarked. “He certainly
was instrumental in the success we had. We had a lot of fun
together and worked well together.”

The coach also credits the fans.

“Our student body and our fans have been fantastic over the
years in the way they backed our teams at games,” Fuhrman added.
“The local business community gave us tremendous financial support
over the years. They enabled us to do a lot of things that were
important in having a good overall program (equipment, camps). I’m
extremely grateful for that. I can’t say enough about how our
community has responded in light of the economic times. It’s all
the more amazing.”

Fuhrman said the most important ingredient in a strong program
is the players.

“I’m very fortunate to have coached a lot of great young men who
were very loyal and dedicated to our program,” Fuhrman added. “They
were willing to work year-round to be the best possible player
individually so that we could be the best possible team.

“We had many players go through the program who went on to play
college basketball — several of those right in our own backyard at
Pitt-Bradford.”

Basketball has played an important role in Fuhrman’s family
life, too.

“I can’t express in words what the program has meant to me and
my family,” he said. “I have a lot of great memories over the
course of 20 years — leaving town on a Coach bus with people lining
the streets for a state playoff game and the packed gyms.

“I can’t say enough about the support my wife, Nancy, has given
me over the years.  She has spent countless hours doing a lot of
booster club activities, treating injuries, planning banquets,
and just being there for me and the kids.  Behind every good coach
is a good woman and Nancy is the best.

“I’ve experienced a lot great things that I will remember the
rest of my life and made a lot of great friendships.

“Coaching is about developing relationships with players and
fellow coaches. I think that is what I am going to miss the
most.

“I’ve made some good relationships in this business. Some of my
best friends are the ones I met coaching — like Bill Vassallo
(former Punxsutawney coach) and Aaron Straub at Elk County
Catholic.”

Fuhrman emphasized one of the biggest differences in the game
today is coaching is a 365-day commitment.

“It’s a 12-month-a-year commitment,” he said. “I’ve done it that
way and that’s why we have been successful. There are no shortcuts
to success. I have always told the players the most important
season is the offseason. That’s when you improve the most. I always
tried to run an organized and disciplined type program. I think the
main staples of our program were that are teams always played hard,
played together, and played tough, physical, and aggressive
man-to-man defense. 

“Once we started winning on a consistent basis, the younger guys
looked up to and tried to emulate that and keep the winning
tradition going. That was a big reason for our success.

“I want to thank the people who have helped me build the program
the last 20 years including Frank Williams of WESB. He has
certainly been a friend and supporter. I want to emphasize it has
been a group effort.”

Fuhrman was quick to point out he will fulfill his commitment to
the Dave Roman Shooting Camp for boys and girls this summer.

The media enjoyed working with Fuhrman during his stint as
coach.

He was what reporters like to refer to as “quotable,” giving
journalists plenty of information for their stories.

Jim Melaro, sports writer for the Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald, had
nothing but praise for Fuhrman.

“He’s one of the coaches in the Big 30 who always has his
players ready,” Melaro said. “His teams are never embarrassed. They
are well-schooled and very well-coached. Dave has earned the
respect of every coach in the Big 30.”

The biggest change for Fuhrman will be in November when practice
starts for the 2010-11 season. He’ll be absent from the gymnasium
at BAHS, but his presence will still be there.

“Basketball has always been a passion for me,” Fuhrman
concluded. “It’s been my hobby. I don’t hunt, fish, golf, but those
are things I might have to look at in the future.

“Coaching is about making adjustments. I’ve spent the last 28
years being a coach in the game. This will be the biggest
adjustment I have had to make in a long time.”