David Weaver is excited to be new AD/Head Football Coach at Italy ISD
Gladiator legend and new Italy ISD Athletic Director/Head Football Coach David Weaver with his wife Tracie, his oldest son Jack, 6 (future ball boy) and his youngest son Max, now 16 months old. (Submitted photo)
A new era has, once again, begun at Italy High School with 1998 IHS graduate David Weaver being hired as Italy ISDs new athletic director and head football coach.
David, 35 years old, is married to Tracie Weaver who has been teaching for 12 years. They have been married for 9 years after meeting at LaMarque when she was the cheer sponsor. They have two sons, Jack, 6 years old (future ball boy) and Max, 16 months old. “I could not do it without them,” emphasized David.
Born and raised here in Italy, David was groomed to be a Gladiator by his dad, Jimmy Weaver, who is well known around these parts as Italy’s very first all-state football player to have his picture forever displayed on the Italy Gladiator Football Golden Wall of Fame. And in the time since Dad’s accomplishment has not only inspired David and his two younger brothers, Daniel Weaver and Brian Weaver, but has also served as inspiration to every Gladiator student-athlete since.
“My Dad is the reason I wore the #82. He taught my brother’s and I the game, how to compete and to give everything we had. He would spend hours with us in the yard chasing any and all types of balls around. To see him on the Wall as the FIRST All-State Football player in Italy’s history just cemented all the lessons that he had taught us daily. When you PLAY as HARD as you can, and COMPETE for as long as possible, you will have the opportunity to leave a LEGACY,” explained David. “My Dad will forever be the First All-State Football selection. Ironically enough, our uncle, Baldemar Vargas Jr., is right beside him at #2! Dad would prefer to speak of our accomplishments rather than promote his own, but we have all heard how gifted a Gladiator he was. There is no doubt about it, Daniel, Brian, and myself believe our Dad to be our HERO and we ALL played to make him PROUD!”
And like his dad before him, David left his own mark on Italy High School athletics with a well-rounded list of accomplishments:
• 3 year Letterman in Football, Basketball, Baseball (started as a Freshman but a torn ACL Sophomore season (vs. Alto) prevented David from playing as a Sophomore).
• Was a member of Italy’s 1997 State Champion Basketball team
• 1997 Semi-Finalists Football
• 1998 Regional Finalists Basketball
• 3 year All-District Football – Tight End
• 1997 All-State Tight End
• 1997 All-District Defensive End
• 2 year All-District Basketball
• 1998 All-Region Basketball
• 3 year All-District Baseball
• 1998 Regional Qualifier Golf
David graduated from Texas A&M University where he majored in History/Political Science. Before attending Texas A&M, he was invited to be a walk on at Cedar Valley Community College where he played baseball for 1 year.
After graduating college, David soon embarked on a high school coaching career where he honed his skills as a mentor and a leader:
• 2004-2006 – LaMarque HS
• 2006 Texas State 4A Football Champions
• 2007-2015 – FM Marcus HS – 2011 Assistant Coach of the Year
•• Special Teams Coordinator 2011- 2015
•• Passing Game Coordinator 2014 -2015
“My Main Goal is to promote a sense of PRIDE and TRADITION of which the Italy Independent School District, Administration, and Community can be PROUD!
A stepping stone is Saturday May 9th, in which the community has the opportunity to promote the overall educational experience at Italy ISD. Both campuses will see significant improvements, along with a first class football stadium and track. The Italy Gladiators are long overdue for these upgrades and need your support so that we may have a THE BEST EDUCATION and COLISEUM around!"
Vote YES for the Italy ISD Bond!
Voting Day Fun: The Gladiator Football Program will have Punt, Pass, and Kick stations set up at Dunlap Library on May 9th from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Feel free to drop your children off while you vote!
“Excited is an understatement. I witnessed 5 young ladies compete their hearts out at the Regional track meet this weekend. They brought home the Regional Championship trophy and represented Gold and White the Gladiator way! Thinking back to my youth, that was the ONLY WAY! We are looking forward to the process of taking ALL of our programs to the NEXT LEVEL! Those Who Stay… Will be CHAMPIONS!” — AD/HFC David Weaver