The area high school sports scene lost one of its greatest supporters on Thursday, when Dave Bostwick passed away.

A graduate of Saint Ignatius High School and a loyal fan and follower of all of the Wildcats' athletic teams, Dave and I crossed paths more than 30 years ago when I was covering high school athletics for The Plain Dealer. Whether it was a Saint Ignatius football or basketball game, or a St. Joseph Academy, Lakewood or Magnificat basketball game, Dave and I had many enjoyable and informative pregame and post-game discussions.

Dave was also very involved in area CYO and coached several young men who went on to successful high school careers, athletically and academically. I know Dave would have wanted me to emphasize that second A word.

It was just last week that Dave e-mailed me and we shared some sentiments about our old neighborhoods, legendary West Tech Field and former St. Edward High School standout catcher Alex Lavisky and his progress in the Indians' system.

On a personal note, I will always cherish the message Dave sent to me in March of 2001, when he learned that I was being inducted into St. Ignatius of Antioch's Sports Hall of Fame as a former coach at the parish I grew up in. His words were special, to say the least.

Dave was extremely knowledgeable on all levels of sports and, as “Dave from Cleveland,” was a frequent caller to the award-winning and very popular “More Sports & Les Levine” show on Time Warner Cable of Northeast Ohio. Dave was also a BIG FAN of the outstanding job Patrick Pierson and Dave Wilson do in bringing area fans the Time Warner high school football and basketball Games of the Week.

Our prayers and deepest sympathy go out to Dave's family and friends.

If there is one thing this corner is sure of, Dave Bostwick is now resting in a very special place.

God Bless Dave, and keep them informed up there about all of the great young men and women who are Northeast Ohio's high school sports scene.