MASTER TEACHER: DAVE RICE (1951-1976)
I briefly met Dave Rice on a whirlwind tour of all the buildings on the campus that Tuesday when I arrived for day one of my interview for a position at the school.
Many older alumni have sung the praises of this esteemed coach, teacher, and mentor. Years later, I did meet him and felt as if I were in the presence of a sports god. So many flocked around this beloved teacher they loved. Often, I see his name on a plaque in the Fieldhouse. We no longer award this prize, but his memory survives.
Gurnee Munn ’64 spoke eloquently at the first Master Teachers’ reception:
“Dave was ‘the coach,’ and he had the ability to bring out the best in any student. Be it teaching in the P.E. classes or coaching, he was able to explain what was being asked of a student and to encourage that student to give her/his best possible performance. Dave could enhance and finetune the leadership qualities and self-confidence of any young athlete.
“Football was one of Dave’s greatest loves. The ‘Rice Spread’ football formation would always thoroughly confuse his opposition. It never worried Dave that he might only have thirteen players on the whole team. As long as he had his two players, one under each arm, he knew he had the right number on the field. Dave provided encouragement and support for two generations of alumni.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
