Coach/A.D. David Medeiros
Graduating class: 1970 - 2004
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2012
Hall of Fame Category: Coach
David Medeiros graduated from New Bedford High School in 1965 and UMass Dartmouth in 1969. David had an illustrious career at Fairhaven for 34 years as an educator, teacher of English, History, Journalism, Coach and Athletic Director. David was assistant football coach for 18 years, Indoor track coach for 15 years and FHS Girl’s Track Coach for 19 years.
David was athletic director for 11 years. Under Medeiros’s guidance, sports programs grew to include 17 varsity sports. David was responsible for adding night volleyball and girls’ varsity and junior varsity soccer, golf, girl’s freshman basketball, girl’s junior varsity softball and a cooperative ice hockey team with Old Rochester. David was District D Athletic Director of the Year, 2002-2003.
During David’s period as AD, much was accomplished. Instituted, were some awards for students: the Scholar Athlete Award, the Athlete for All Seasons Award, the 4 years/3 seasons award (presented to graduating Seniors), the reinstitution of the Watch Award (presented to graduating Seniors who lettered in two sports for two years or one sport for three years).
This was funded by the All Sports Booster Club until they disbanded and then the funding was taken over by the Athletic Department. David sought recognition for our athletes by participating in the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award and Women in Sports Day, the Boston Garden Good Sports Award (Fairhaven had a number of winners of this award) and participated in a variety of MIAA Sportsmanship recognition efforts.
During David’s time, he rewrote the Athletic Handbook placing emphasis on academics, cooperated well with the faculty and administration, and weathered a few storms. The entire building/addition project took place during David’s tenure and the teams had to hold games and practice at many off-campus sites, which required much coordination of buses, host schools, etc.
The FHS Hall of Fame began during his tenure with the impetus coming from the community at large, making it truly a community project. David encouraged (maybe even made it mandatory and provided a cost-free avenue) for all FHS coaches to become CPR/First Aid certified to better service their students. Under his leadership, a full-time athletic trainer was added, serving all sports (not just one or two).
Dave’s accomplishments, as the Director of Athletics, overshadowed his coaching success and had a positive influence on many more students and programs. David is proud of what occurred, at FHS, during his tenure. Generally, David just tried to be there for the Fairhaven student athletes, their parents and their coaches. David stays busy as an instructor and tutor, at the Northeast Maritime Institute, and as a USCG Licensed Captain on his 20’ Grady White used for pleasure and fishing at the Elizabeth Islands. Capt. Dave Medeiros offers charter and guide services.
David is devoted to his wife Beth, of 42 years, son Matthew (FHS Class of ’93), daughter Sarah (FHS Class of ’90) and grandchildren, Bella, Max, Sofia, Benjamin and Dylan. David lives in Fairhaven in the home of the former legendary coach and AD of FHS, Mel Entin – the legacy continues…
David is very humbled and proud to be inducted into the Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame as Coach and Athletic Director. The recognition of his service to the student athletes and programs of Fairhaven is indeed the highlight of David’s time in Fairhaven.