As the Hackley community reminisces about the exciting Dave Allison game played by the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team during the annual Dave Allison game, it is important to remember the significance behind this annual event. This competition kicked off Hackley’s Alumni weekend on October 14 at Pickert Field against the Dalton School, but is particularly special as it is played every year to honor a beloved former faculty member, Dave Allison, and commemorate the lasting impact he made on the Hackley community.

Mr. Allison was a gym teacher and passionate soccer and basketball coach who taught on the Hilltop for over thirty years. He began his tenure at Hackley coaching the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team, but once Hackley turned co-ed in 1970, he chose to coach the Girls’ Soccer program as he believed it was not taken as seriously by the Athletic Department and allowed it to grow into the championship team it is today.

Despite the numerous championships and tangible successes that Mr. Allison secured, it is his distinguishable and amable personality that is remembered and has resonated with those whose lives he touched.

History teacher and lacrosse coach Melissa Stanek reflected, “I think his core values were what shaped me as an athlete. He is the reason I played sports in college. I played with passion and tried to play with a degree of selflessness because that’s what he enforced in his players. If you played your hardest no matter what, that’s what mattered.” She added, “If you won five-nothing but you didn’t play your hardest he would be more disappointed than if you lost two-one but you left it all on the field.”

The values Mr. Allison encouraged and high standards to which he held his athletes inspired the team to “play like an animal,” a word that is still used as motivation for the soccer team today and this year, even acts as their mantra. “The word ‘animal’ that still resonates with the soccer team today, that was Mr. Allison trying to promote this notion of just playing with this raw desire and intensity but he managed to balance that with the notion that you played in the right way and that you treated your teammates and opponents with respect,” said Mrs. Stanek.  

Sadly, Mr. Allison died of cancer in December of 2004. His legacy is still very present in those he touched and throughout the greater Hackley community. The Dave Allison Game is just one way Hackley gives back to this extraordinary coach and the inspiration and life skills he instilled in those he knew. The game is one of many ways in which his legacy continues to unite the Hackley community.

Taraneh Khosrowshahi, Hackley Class of 2004, raved about both Mr. Allison’s passion for athletics as well as the values he encouraged in his athletes. “As a player, he taught me that it is equally important to practice the skills [on the field] as it was to be a team player…and that [it is] camaraderie of leadership that helps give you an edge. To Mr. Allison I owe my successes in college, and my career, because he taught me what hard work meant.”

As this game is commemorative of a distinguished community leader, the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team felt fortunate to be able to participate in this significant event. “Unlike our other night games this game actually has a real purpose and I think that when we are all playing we know that we are playing for our whole school, our pride, and most importantly Coach Allison,” said senior and Captain Amanda Stern in anticipation of the game.

The Dave Allison Game was an evening in which Mr. Allison’s impact was particularly prevalent throughout the Hilltop.