Meet Dave
After graduating from Mt. Zion High School, Dave Luster served in the United States Army. He later attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating in the spring of 1969. Upon completion of his degree at EIU, he began teaching at Maroa-Forsyth in the fall of 1969. During his time at Maroa-Forsyth, Dave taught social studies at Maroa-Forsyth Jr. High School for 19 years. He then went on to teach history and current events at the high school for another 10 years and added his services as a bus driver for the school district for five years. Early in his career at Maroa-Forsyth, he coached 7th and 8th grade boys basketball for 10 years. After that, he became the head coach of the high school women’s basketball team, which he coached for 6 years.
In those 6 years, the girls’ team had three 20-win seasons, compiling an astounding 22-4 record during the 1987-88 season. Luster’s 1987-88 team was the first girls basketball team in school history to win the Regional Championship game. After working at the Maroa-Forsyth district for 30 years, he retired in 2001-2002. Many of his former students remember him as “Old Man,” but he has always been well respected by his former students and colleagues for his many dedicated years at Maroa-Forsyth. Dave Luster currently resides in Mt. Zion and even has two great grandchildren who attend Maroa-Forsyth Schools today.