Locker Room talk with David Hawks

Editor’s note: Locker Room Talk: Coaches Edition, is a piece where every week the Nevada Daily Mail will interview a high school coach and ask them a series of questions. This week's guest is Nevada High School Athletic Director David Hawks.

Who is your hero?

My parents are my hero’s. As my family has grown, with two boys, I am beginning to understand some of the sacrifices they made to raise seven boys and a girl. They raised us with a strong faith, which is something my wife, Hannah, and I try to do with our boys.

What made you want to be a coach/athletic director?

I had great coaches during my time at Nevada High School, men that I looked up to and have become friends with as I have gotten older. I’ve always loved sports, and finding an avenue I could continue in sports while being a role model for young kids is something I always wanted to do. I hope that I can be that role model in someone’s life.

What was your favorite sport to compete in back in the day, and what is your favorite sport to watch either at home or on your phone?

My favorite sport to compete in while growing up was always wrestling. I loved that I always competed against kids my size. To me, there is no better sport to teach discipline. Other than watching wrestling on TV whenever I get a chance, I enjoy watching all sports, from football to golf on TV. I will though, there is nothing like Friday night lights. We’ve been fortunate over the past few years with some special seasons and being able to watch from the sideline has been great.

Let's say the Nevada R-5 School District is looking to add a sport to their athletic calendar that they do not currently have. Tyson Beshore (Nevada R-5's Superintendent) comes up to you and asks what sport they should add. What sport are you choosing, and would you coach that sport?

Corn hole, or some people refer to it as bags. It’s pretty incredible to watch what the professionals can do, putting the bag wherever they need to score points.

What advice would you give someone who is going through a rough time?

It’s important to have a strong faith and support system. I am blessed to have a support family and great friends I can call on anytime I need. We live in a great community with a ton of support. I remind our coaches of that often. Also, there will be better days ahead. As the saying goes, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

What are some of your hobbies that don't include sports?

I enjoy spending time with my two boys, Eldon and Joe, and my wife. I also like to fish in the spring time and deer hunt in the fall.

What is one single piece of advice you would give to someone who might want to be in your position someday?

Maybe two pieces of advice: work hard and do what you think is right. There will always be people who don’t agree with everything you do, but as long as you’ve done what you feel is right, that is all you can ask of yourself.

Last time on Locker Room Talk, Head Football Coach Wes Beachler wanted to ask you, what is the most difficult part in transitioning from a coach to the athletic director position?

One of the most difficult things is not having an “off season”. There is something that needs to be done from August to August. But, I love what I’m doing and wouldn’t want it any other way.

Next week on Locker Room talk, it will be Baseball coach Danny Penn. Do you have a question for him?

If you would have played a sport other than baseball, what would it be and why?