Dave Bassore 1954-2006

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The death of former Central Missouri State assistant football coach Dave Bassore sent shockwaves throughout the CMSU and Warrensburg community. Bassore, 51, who had stints as both offensive and defensive coordinator during his tenure (1997-2000) with the Mules, was killed in an automobile accident Monday in Kansas City, Kan.

Wherever he went, Bassore was well liked and respected, in every arena of life.

"He was just a unique human being," said Mules head coach Willie Fritz, who was a junior defensive back at Pittsburg State when Bassore was a graduate assistant coach. Later, Fritz was a grad assistant under Bassore at Sam Houston State and the two were reunited in 1997 when Bassore joined Fritz's staff at Central Missouri.

"He's a great father, a great husband and a great friend to me," Fritz continued. "Before my wife and I had kids, our summer vacation was going to wherever the Bassores were. We talked two or three times a week. It's going to be difficult. It's just shocking. I'm going to really miss him."

Bassore visited the CMSU campus just this past Saturday, attending the Mules' scrimmage. He then joined Fritz for lunch afterward.

"I'm really happy he was able to come over here last Saturday and that I got the chance to go to lunch with him and talk," Fritz said. "He was just a really neat guy. He touched a lot of lives and was just a great person."

Fritz described Bassore as "very intense" on the field, but noted that he never forgot the players in his charge were people.

"He had a great of understanding of people," said former CMSU offensive lineman Mark Stillwell. "He was a great motivator. He knew how to get the most out of his players. His heart was as big as his spirit and he will be sorely missed by all who played for him or knew him as a person."

It was that understanding of people that made Bassore a great recruiter. Fritz noted that Bassore was the chief recruiter who brought in Mules' greats Kevin Nickerson, Lee Thompson and Kegan Coleman among others.

Former linebacker Andy Sims, now a graduate assistant coach on the Mules' staff, noted that he borrows a Bassore coaching technique with current CMSU players.

"He was very, very tough on his players, but it was a tough love," Sims said. "I remember one day, he jumped all over me at practice. Then, at the end of the day, we were walking off the field and I was just devastated, I'd had a bad practice. He just put his arm around me, gave me a little hug and said, 'You've got a long time ahead of you. don't let one little mistake determine your career at this school or any other place.'

"That's something I always try to do. If I'm ever upset at a player over their play or their attitude, I always make sure I go over to them at the end of practice and try to tell them the same thing, 'Don't let this mistake determine how you're going to play or practice from here on out.'"

More so than with his words, however, Bassore led his players by example.

"The number one thing I learned from him is to have a passion for what you love and try to go in every day and show that on the field," said Sims. "There was never a day he was out here that players ever thought, 'Gosh, he doesn't want to be out here. That guy loves football. If I love it just part as much as he does, I'll be a great player.' That's what I try to do, but those are big shoes to fill."

Bassore's influence stretched far beyond the confines of football. A dedicated husband and father, Bassore and his wife, Debbie, actively supported their children, Dana and Aaron.

"He had a great laugh and was always there for his kids," said former Warrensburg High girls' swimming coach LuAnn Stillwell. "He was always a very kind and supportive parent when Dana was on the swim team."

"I was honored to have his son Aaron play for me and honored to have known a guy like Coach Bassore," noted Warrensburg High football coach Shane Taylor. "He had one of the most infectious personalities I've ever been around. You couldn't help but like the guy and feel better about life when you talked with him, listened to his stories or just were in his presence."

Bassore left Central Missouri to become head coach at his alma mater, William Jewell College in Liberty. During his four-year stint, he signed his son, Aaron, to a letter of intent in 2002.

Last fall, Bassore was head coach at Olathe (Kan.) North High School, where he was also a physical education teacher. He was driving from school to his Liberty home when he was killed Monday.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Park Lawn Northland Chapel. Visitation will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Liberty United Methodist Church, 1001 Sunset, Liberty. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 7, at the church.

Graveside services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the Marionville IOOF Cemetery, Marionville, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to a scholarship fund for Dave's children, c/o Debbie Bassore, and may be left at the church or funeral home.

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