Two longtime coaches and educators, Dave Truex and Todd Nace, have been honored with induction into the Mid-State League Hall of Fame Class of 2025 for their decades of dedication to student-athletes in their respective communities.
Dave Truex: A Legacy of Leadership in Circleville
Dave Truex has spent over 30 years shaping the lives of young athletes in the Circleville community through his work as a coach, teacher, and mentor. His coaching career includes 28 years as the head softball coach at Circleville, where he amassed an impressive 416-272 record. Under his leadership, the team reached significant milestones, including a state runner-up finish in 2006 and multiple regional appearances.
Truex also served as the head baseball coach for 10 years, compiling a 156-76 record, and had an extensive career in football coaching, spending 13 years as an assistant coach and nine as a head coach. Beyond the field, Truex made a lasting impact as the middle school and high school athletic director and as a longtime liaison for the Mid-State League. His contributions to Circleville athletics have already been recognized through his induction into the Circleville High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Capital University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Todd Nace: Teays Valley’s Wrestling Pioneer
Since 1993, Todd Nace has played an integral role in the athletic success of Teays Valley. He began as an assistant wrestling coach before taking over as head coach in 2000, a position he still holds. Under his guidance, the Teays Valley wrestling program has thrived, winning 14 Mid-State League championships, three sectional titles, and achieving a 10-to-10 finish in the Division I district tournament. His wrestlers have consistently excelled, with 50 state qualifiers, 20 state placers, and one state champion.
Nace’s coaching impact extends beyond wrestling, as he also served as an assistant football coach, led the school’s softball program in the mid-90s, and took on the role of head soccer coach in 2017. His influence on youth wrestling was instrumental in founding the Teays Valley youth program in 1993, establishing a foundation for future success.
With over three decades of dedication to coaching and education, both Truex and Nace have left an enduring mark on their communities. Their induction into the Mid-State League Hall of Fame is a testament to their unwavering commitment to student-athletes, ensuring their legacies will be remembered for years to come.
