The best coaches are the best teachers. That’s the 34-year coaching legacy of Dave Gasser (b. Nov 18, 1951). A baseball life that has touched generations at four Oregon high schools.

Gasser grew up in the Eastside hot bed of Portland baseball, surrounding Madison High School. He watched the Senators win state championships in the early sixties then played on two title teams himself as well as the 1969 American Legion National Champions.

His introduction to coaching was two seasons at Canby before returning to his alma mater. Madison won eight consecutive PIL titles and the 1981 state championship under his guidance.

Gasser thought his coaching career might be over after moving to Lakeridge for a teaching position in 1991. But one year later, he became the Pacers head baseball coach, kicking off another 11 years of coaching excellence, winning two more state titles.

Gasser’s success was based on a very un-flashy philosophy. Develop skills. Maximize strengths. Emphasize team success.

And after the first 25 years, it seemed to be time for retirement on the Oregon Coast. That’s where Astoria athletic director Howard Rub lured Gasser back to the dugout in 2006 and success would follow. The school’s commitment to improving facilities and a talented group of players featuring future Oregon State and NFL star Jordan Poyer won two more state titles.

Retirement #2 for Coach Gasser began after the 2010 season and lasted three years. There would be one more comeback, five more seasons with the Fishermen and then a final step away in 2017. 34 seasons 750 wins.

Dave’s teaching lives on online in his series of training videos. He was elected to the Oregon High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004.

The Gasser record       750-235         5 state championships