Throughout the course of the 2008-2009 academic year, we will seek to recognize some of the great names of the past to highlight the heritage of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in honor of the Association’s 95th anniversary. In this edition we are pleased to recognize David Lee Lash of Winston-Salem.

The late David Lash compiled a tremendous coaching record in both football and tennis during his career, which spanned from 1943 through 1975.

Lash was born in Walnut Cove and attended Atkins High School in Winston-Salem and before graduating from Shaw University in 1940. During his coaching career at Carver, Atkins and East Forsyth, he was involved with two football state championships and 15 regional crowns in the old North Carolina High School Athletic Conference. He won five state titles in tennis and was a tireless promoter of that sport, working well after his retirement teaching and promoting tennis.

His career record as a head football coach was a stellar 248-76-6.

A member of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County High School Hall of Fame, Lash also served the NCHSAC as the executive secretary for the Western part of the state and was very involved when that organization merged with the NCHSAA.

David was inducted posthumously into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 1997.