Fresh off leading the Bridgeport High School boys basketball team to its first state championship in over two decades, head coach Dave Marshall has been named the 2025 Van Meter Award winner by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. The award, given annually to the state’s top high school coach regardless of sport, adds yet another honor to a remarkable season for both Marshall and the Bridgeport program.
Bridgeport’s championship run in Class AAA ended with a dominant 62-40 win over Nitro, capping off a stellar 26-1 season that included a 23-game win streak. The success was driven by an intense commitment to defense—something Marshall’s teams have long been known for. This year, however, his squad took it to another level.
A Defensive Powerhouse
The Indians’ defense was nothing short of suffocating. In 23 of 27 games, Bridgeport held opponents to 50 points or less. In nine of those games, opponents were kept under 40, and in eight, under 30. Even more impressively, Bridgeport held opponents to 10 points or less in a quarter 65 times throughout the season.
During their postseason run, the team continued to shine defensively, allowing just 30, 23, 32, 30, and 40 points across five regional and state tournament games.
“We didn’t have that one lock-down defender,” Marshall admitted. “So I kept asking myself, ‘How are we going to guard these guys?’ But what they did—defending as a community—man, that’s what I live for. That’s what team sports are about.”
More Than Just an Award
For Marshall, the Van Meter Award is a deeply humbling recognition—one he’s quick to share with those around him.
“I have a tough time wrapping my brain around why I deserve to be so blessed,” he said. “I don’t just mean the award—I mean the kids, the assistant coaches, the parents, the support from our administration. I don’t feel worthy of it, but I’m so honored to accept it on behalf of all those people.”
Marshall’s humility extends to his faith and community as well.
“I keep asking God why. I’m grateful. Everything brings glory to God,” he added. “And to receive something with the history of this award—it’s humbling.”
A Historic Coaching Achievement
Marshall’s 2025 championship win also placed him in rare company. He became just the third coach in state history to win both girls and boys basketball state championships, and the first to do so at the same school.
He previously coached the Bridgeport girls team for 19 years, leading them to a Class AA title in 2013. After stepping away from the girls program, he coached at Liberty (his alma mater) and had assistant roles at Robert C. Byrd before returning to Bridgeport in 2020 as head coach of the boys team.
“To get both titles at Bridgeport—that means something special to me,” he said. “After leaving, I realized how much this school and community meant to me. My kids graduated here. My roots are here.”
Changing the Narrative
Bridgeport is traditionally known for its football and baseball programs. But this year, the boys basketball team wanted to show they could carve their own legacy.
“These guys felt like they had something to prove—not just winning a title, but showing we can be a basketball school too,” Marshall said. “They bought in. They pulled together. And they believed in what we were building.”
Honoring a Legacy
The Van Meter Award, originally known as the High School Coach of the Year Award until 2016, is named after Jerome Van Meter, the legendary Woodrow Wilson basketball and football coach. Van Meter won 869 total games and was a three-time recipient of the award in 1948, 1951, and 1952.
Marshall is now the second coach in Bridgeport High School history to earn the honor, joining Wayne Jamison, who won it in 1973 and 1980.
Other notable finalists for this year’s award included Bo Miller (Spring Valley girls basketball), Tyler Phares (Bridgeport football), James Toth (Wahama football), Dave Walker (Martinsburg football), John Bonecutter (Point Pleasant wrestling), Mel Stephens (Wheeling Central boys basketball), and Garland Thompson (Tug Valley boys basketball).
Marshall will be officially presented with the Van Meter Award during the 78th annual Victory Awards Dinner, set for Sunday, May 4, at the Bridgeport Conference Center.
As Marshall reflects on a dream season, his message is clear: this was never just about basketball. It was about belief, community, and making history—together.
