Dave Sladky had a variety of experience in coaching during his professional career in basketball. His resume includes stints as JV coach at San Diego State University, Baldwin Wallace College, Walsh College, and Strongsville High School. Add to this his 24 years at Wadsworth High School, where had a winning percentage of nearly 70% with 404 wins.

Coach Sladky graduated from Brecksville High School in 1960 and Wittenberg University in 1964. He began his coaching career at Oberlin High School in 1964, serving as baseball coach and assistant football coach. At Strongsville and at Wadsworth, he also served as varsity assistant in football.

In his 24 years at Wadsworth, his basketball teams had only one losing season, 99-10). During his career, he coached eleven league championships: Chippewa - 1, Pioneer - 3, Suburban - 7. They were sectional champions in 1967, 1698, 1980, 1981, and 1993; and runner-up in 1968. In the 1981 season, they were regional champions and regional runner-up in 1993. The 1981 team finished as runner-up at the State.

His coaching honors include thirteen years as Coach of the Year in the Pioneer and Suburban Leagues, eight times Medina County Coach of the Year by the Medina Gazette and eight times by the Akron Beacon Journal. He has been selected and honored in the following Halls of Fames: Wadsworth, Medina County, and the Greater Akron High School Basketball Coaches.

His coaching philosophy was "Coaching is a chance to help young people grow to know themselves by being a help to others in a team situation and to accept a role that makes the whole better than the parts. A positive personal experience is paramount for the player."

Dave's wife, Carol, is a physical education teacher at Wadsworth. They have two sons. Mike is a graduate of Miami University, where he played football. He teaches and coaches at Ashland and Northwestern High School. Son Scott is a senior at the US Naval Academy, having played three years of basketball there. He will graduate in May.

Dave and his wife are members of the First Christian Church of Wadsworth, where he serves as a Deacon. He belongs to the Lions Club, the Red Cross Board of Trustees, and does television work for the Wadsworth Community Television Network. He owns his own business now and serves as Vice President of Primerica Financial Services.