The Capital Region sports world has lost a legend in the making. Dave Sunkes, Ballston Spa athletic director, died Sept. 7 at the age of 46. 

"He was my best friend, great man and inspiration to me," said Curtis Noble, a Ballston Spa baseball coach.

A three-sport Hall of Fame athlete at Catholic Central, Sunkes went on to become an administrator, coach and athletic director at Ballston Spa.

"He had a vision and it was to turn these teams into contrenders, not pretenders," Noble said. 

Sunkes took over a department not necessarily known for success and made tough decisions to put the Scotties on the map, which included multiple state championships.

"Everything we always discussed was in the spirit of bettering kids," Noble said. 

"He set really high academic and character expectations. It wasn't just about winning on the field. It was about doing well in the classroom," Superintendent Gianleo Duca said.

Despite the success, Sunkes would always pass the credit to students, coaches and parents.

"We follow in his footsteps," Noble said. "Every day, he was always looking out for his players, his coaches, his community. He did things on the dark, and we’d say what’s done in the dark creates light."

Gone too soon at 46, Sunkes leaves behind a wife and three sons.