Miami fondly remembers SID

Memorial service praises Young for his positive attitude and professionalism.

Meininger shoots Elks past Alter in overtime
2/13/12
Wright State still has hopes of hosting
2/13/12
Area athletes going on to play in college
2/13/12
Trotwood state football team being honored
2/13/12
Vandalia QB signs with Butler
2/13/12
> More sports headlines

By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 1:37 AM Sunday, April 25, 2010

OXFORD — The life of the “Happy Man” was celebrated at Millett Hall on Saturday, April 24.

Those who knew Dave Young, the longtime and much-honored Miami University sports information director who died March 29, agreed during the memorial celebration that it never took much to make him smile and come up with “that distinctive chortle.”

Baseball. That would do the trick. Especially a Miami baseball game. Well, maybe the Cleveland Indians, too.

Don Crain, a close friend, former Miami baseball player and member of the university’s board of trustees, said Young didn’t have much to work with in the early days, long before Miami’s baseball press box was constructed and named in Young’s honor in 2003. “But he did well with what he had, as we all know.”

Jay Young said he still remembers the sight of his father sitting at a Miami baseball game.

No press box, just a card table. Young is operating the scoreboard while also keeping score with a No. 2 pencil. Also at hand are a telephone and microphone. In the rain. With Jay or his brother Scott holding an umbrella over their dad’s head.

It also was noted during the service that people rarely referred to “Dave” as a single entity. More often is was “Dave and Marilyn.” It was a rare day in Oxford, especially when he had heart problems and a subsequent transplant, that she was not at his side.

Young also was praised for his professionalism.

“Dave was not only my boss, but an amazingly patient teacher,” said Lori Brown, Young’s first assistant at Miami. “Dave had a way of teaching without criticizing, of correcting without pointing out mistakes.

“He confirmed what my gut always told me,” Brown added, “that honesty was the best policy.”

Crain called Young “the face of Miami University athletics during his 25 years as SID.”

Miami Athletic Director Brad Bates noted how fitting it was that the celebration be held in the Hall of Fame area of Millett Hall among the university’s greatest athletes and coaches.

“Dave’s integrity was exceptional, his influence vast,” Bates said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

Dave Young

Share this article