SALEM, Ohio—Franklin High School teacher and coach David Lease returned home  to Salem, Ohio, over the weekend to be inducted into his high school sports hall of fame.
A four-year track letterman and three-year letterman in football and basketball, Lease was chosen for the United High School Wall of Fame.
“Surprised,” Lease said Tuesday. “I’ve been out of school for so long. I’m a humble guy and don’t like to do anything for myself.”
His former high school football coach, John Gecina, presented Lease with the honor.
“Like I told them at the Wall of Fame (dinner), if I had one word for David it was ‘confident.’ He had confidence in himself  and I had confidence in him as a coach.”
Nominated by his parents, Clarence and Mary Lou Lease of Salem, David Lease graduated from United High School in 1982 and received a bachelor’s of arts degree in industrial arts from California University of Pennsylvania in 1986. While in college, he was a four-year letter winner for football, the 1986 team receiver MVP and received the 1987 Andy Kuzemka Memorial Award symbolizing outstanding sportsmanship and play.
Lease began working in Franklin in 1988. He teaches building trades, technology education and drivers’ education.
During his 23 years with Franklin, Lease has coached football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, baseball, soccer and golf. He has served as assistant athletic director and athletic director for a total of eight years.
In his 21 years as an assistant football coach, there have been two district titles, a regional title, state titles in 2004 an 2008 and a final four finish in 2010.
In 12 years of boys’ basketball are eight district titles, two regional titles, state runner-up, state final four and state elite eight.
Lease was named district coach of the year in basketball twice, golf three times and baseball and soccer, one time each.
He and his wife, Pam, are the parents of daughters Heather, 20, and Colby Lou, 10.