Tuesday February 13th between the JV and Varsity basketball games at home versus Alexander, the Eastern Athletic Department will recognize its latest inductee to the Eastern Local Athletic Hall of Fame Mr. Dennis Eichinger as well as long time announcer Mr. Randy Wachter.
Dennis Eichinger was a class of 1972 Eastern High School graduate from Chester. Dennis was a member of the undefeated football team in the Fall of 1971 going 9-0. His sophomore year, the Eastern Varsity Boys Basketball team won league titles in both the MOVC and the SVAC. His senior year, the basketball team went 19-3, won the sectional championship, and advanced to districts. He still holds the Eastern boys basketball player all-time high scoring record of 1,486 points scored before the 3 point shot was officially recognized by OHSAA. He was a four sport letterman upon graduating high school and was an exemplary student athlete. Upon graduating high school, Dennis attended Marietta College and lettered his freshman year in basketball.
Upon transferring to the Ohio State University, Dennis earned his degree in education and returned to Meigs County to pursue a career in teaching and coaching. Mr. Eichinger served the students and community of Eastern Local School District as an educator from 1977 until the end of the 1992 school year. During his tenure at Eastern High School, Mr. Eichinger taught health, physical education, and driver education. During his teaching career, Mr. Eichinger also passionately served as a Jr. High Football Coach, Jr. High Basketball Coach, JV Football Coach, JV Basketball Coach, Assistant Varsity Football Coach, Varsity Basketball Coach, Varsity Baseball Coach, and Varsity Track Coach throughout his years here.
Mr. Eichinger also served as the Jr./Sr. High School Athletic Director from 1982 until 1986. When first becoming athletic director, the Eastern High School Athletic Fund had a little over One-Hundred Dollars in it. By the time his tenure as AD had finished, the Athletic fund had nearly $40,000 in its budget. His hard work and sharp fiscal mind led to a massive gain for Eastern student athletes. Upon leaving Eastern High School, Mr. Eichinger served as an assistant principal and principal of Meigs High School, Tech Coordinator at Washington State, and Principal of Belpre High School.
Mr. Eichinger also served on the Eastern Local School District School Board of Education from 2010 until 2014. Mr. Eichinger is most proud of the wonderful relationships his career has brought him over the years and loves to see many of his former students and players serving our community as teachers and coaches. He is not a man you’ll find saying look at my accomplishments, or I did this or that, but is a true passionate community member who always gave everything his all.
If you want to nominate someone for the Eastern Athletic Hall of Fame click the link below to see how.
https://www.easternlocal.com/page/eastern-athletic-hall-of-fame
We will also be honoring longtime Eastern Athletic Announcer Mr. Randy Wachter. Randy has announced at Games and helped with Eastern Sports for over 20 years. Randy has been awarded the OHSAA Friend of Youth Award. Randy has made so many Eastern athletic events that much more special for our students and we can't thank him enough.